Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
646. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a schedule of estimated delivery costs from 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022 associated with the new national maternity hospital. [27321/22]
View answer647. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a schedule of estimated delivery costs from 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022 associated with the new national maternity hospital in the context of the public spending code; the number of instances in which his Department updated him and or his predecessors on increases to the estimated costs for delivery; and if he has sanctioned a delivery cost of €1 billion for the hospital. [27322/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 647 and 646 together.
The Public Spending Code (PSC) is designed to ensure that capital investment decisions are underpinned by a clear policy rationale, and that costs are well understood. In 2019, the PSC was updated and introduced a new project lifecycle, tightening the arrangements for project decision-making, and clarifying the roles of the parties involved including the responsibilities for Sponsoring Agencies and Approving Authorities.
All capital development proposals must progress through several approval stages, in line with the new lifecycle approach of the updated PSC, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.
The specific requirements that must be included in a business case at the various stages of the PSC, are detailed at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/public-spending-code/.
The capital project business case for the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) to the St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) Campus is progressing.
The total capital costs expended from 2017-to end April 2022 is €89.25m, with a breakdown provided in the table below:
NMH Relocation Project delivery costs 2017 to end April 2022
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
To end April 2022 |
Total from 2017 to end April 2022 |
|
|
€m |
5.05 |
6.19 |
25.67 |
28.36 |
21.88 |
2.1 |
89.25 |
The total capital expenditure to date is based on two main elements, enabling works on site and the preparation for the capital project including detailed design, business case and planning permission preparation. Enabling works are included in these costs, which commenced on the campus in early 2018 with a programme of Aspergillus prevention works. Construction of the new pharmacy and the multi-storey car-park were completed in 2021 and both are fully operational. The costs of all enabling works to date are €51m (including VAT).
With the exception of the construction works referenced above, no further contractual commitments have been entered into with respect to works on the new NMH project.
The final decision to proceed with the construction of the new maternity hospital, and therefore to estimate the cost for the new NMH, cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal delivers value for money and remains affordable.
Question No. 647 answered with Question No. 646.
