Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
1652. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if his Department has received a report on the most recent cost estimate and timescale for the completion of the new national children’s hospital. [34744/21]
View answerA thorough analysis of the New Children’s Hospital project was sought by the Minister for Health in the summer of 2020 and the National Paediatric Hospital Develop Board (NPHDB) undertook an assessment of the project to determine the implications of any delay(s) and to determine the most effective pathway to ensure the timely completion of this critical project.
The NPHDB’s analysis was submitted to the Department of Health at the end of January 2021. Further analysis was required to provide the appropriate assurances and validation to Government, and other stakeholders, that there has been a robust analysis of the way forward.
The Department continues to work with the NPHDB towards completion of this analysis and once completed, it will then be submitted to the Minister, who commissioned the analysis.
Since the analysis relates to a live contract, it is commercially sensitive and must remain confidential to ensure that the contractual relationships and the project are not adversely affected.
Updates are continually shared with all key stakeholders through the established reporting and governance structures – primarily the Children’s Hospital Project & Programme Steering Group and Board, which members include the Department of Health, the HSE and Children’s Health Ireland.
