Skip to main content
Normal View

National Children's Hospital Status

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Questions (688)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

688. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in announcing the design team for the new national paediatric hospital. [49368/13]

View answer

Written answers

Prior to the commencement of construction, key elements of the project include design development, decant works for the site and planning permission. The procurement process for the new design team was initiated in July. Following its appointment in August, the new National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) reviewed that procurement process and has decided on a change of approach based on its collective expertise and experience and taking into account changing market conditions. While this change means that the design team will be selected in Spring 2014, rather than by the end of this year as originally planned, the new Board is confident that there will be no delay to the project overall, as time can now be recovered at contractor tender stage. The new Prior Information Notice was published on 7 November.

Work by the NPHDB on developing a detailed project timeline is continuing, which will reflect the urgency and priority of the project and also its scale and complexity. However, at this stage, the Board is confident that construction can begin in Spring 2015.

Top
Share