Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1448. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the new children's hospital; if the planned national eating disorders centre is included in the plan; the number of beds that will be included in the build; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19609/22]
View answerThe new children’s hospital (NCH) project comprises the main hospital on a shared campus at St James’s, the Outpatient and Urgent Care Centre at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, and the Outpatient and Emergency Care Centre at Tallaght University Hospital. The two centres at Connolly and Tallaght are now operational, the centre at Tallaght having opened in November last year.
Work on the St James’s site is progressing well and the hospital is now clearly visible on the Dublin skyline. Major milestones were reached in 2021, which included the completion of the concrete frame with over 150,000 cubic metres of concrete poured, the topping out of the building (where the highest point on the building was completed- a significant milestone in any construction project), the infill concrete slabs over the steelwork frame, the closing in of the concourse and approximately 17,000 square metres of glazing and 5,800 square metres of external façade installed.
To date, 86,000 square metres of internal partitions have been installed, with the equivalent of over 26 kilometres installed in 2021. The fit out of most internal areas is now underway, including the south fingers comprising Outpatients, Cardiology Wards, and Therapies spaces and the ‘Hot Block’ comprising Emergency Department, Critical Care and Theatres. Work in 2022 will be focused on the progression of the internal fit-out of the over 6,000 internal spaces. Internal fit out ranges from first fix in some areas, whereas others are much further progressed, with ceilings and joinery being fitted.
The NCH was connected to a permanent supply of power from the ESB network recently, which is another important milestone in the project.
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has advised that the main contractor’s current schedule outlines completion can be achieved by December 2023 which would mean the NCH at St James’s could open in the second half of 2024, after the necessary commissioning period. The NPHDB is working to ensure that contractor will meet its own schedule.
In relation to the number of beds in the new children's hospital, the Definitive Business Case for the new hospital plans for 380 inpatient beds and 93 day-care beds.
In relation to the specific query on eating disorders, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
