Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
759. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason work has stopped on the national children’s hospital; if there are legal proceedings under way regarding the project; the estimated cost to the State of such legal proceedings; the number of days lost due to legal proceedings; and the cost to the State per day of delays to the project. [14159/20]
View answerI am aware that construction work on the new children’s hospital site beside St. James’s Hospital stopped on 31 March 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
I understand that since the commencement of the easing of restrictions on 18 of May, the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has been engaging with the main contractor in relation to the earliest possible reopening of the site. I have been informed that some matters remain unresolved at this time and that construction has not recommenced.
The proceedings currently before the Commercial Court are not related to the closure of the site on 31 March, 2020 but to the validity of the instruction given by the NPHDB to begin the Phase B above ground construction works in January 2019. As this matter is now before the Courts it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
I am anxious that the hospital be completed as quickly as possible on behalf of children, young people and their families. The NPHDB has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital and I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
