Committee of Public Accounts to examine 2021 Financial Statements of Children’s Health Ireland and National Paediatric Hospital Development Board

The meeting at 9.30am in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr Seamus McCarthy, to discuss:

• Financial Statements 2021 - Children's Health Ireland;
• Financial Statements 2021 - National Paediatric Hospital Development Board.

During the afternoon session, beginning at 1.30pm, the Committee will consider correspondence and other business of the Committee.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Stanley said: “The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is responsible for the planning, design, building, equipping and furnishing of the new children’s hospital at the St James’s campus in Dublin, as well as two paediatric outpatient and urgent care centres, based at Tallaght and Blanchardstown Hospitals.

“Children’s Health Ireland amalgamated the previous stand-alone children’s hospitals in Crumlin, Temple Street and at Tallaght into a single hospital. On completion of the new paediatric hospital, CHI will staff and operate the services in the new facilities.

“The budget approved by Government in December 2018 to get the hospital and both satellite centres up and running, was €1.7 billion, comprising €1.43 billion for NPHDB and €300 million for CHI to integrate the three hospitals, develop the ICT solution for the new facilities, and to act as client for the new children’s hospital and satellite centres.

“One of the main issues now for the delivery and finalisation of the project is the settlement of additional payment claims by the contractor. The Committee understands that NPHDB and CHI have developed a joint risk management process in line with their statutory responsibilities and maintain an integrated risk register in relation to the project and programme.

“Specific areas of interest for the Committee include the independent review of operating theatres, updated timeline of the commissioning period, level of claims and potential liability, updated budget and timelines for the new Children's Hospital, and handover of the hospital to CHI. Members looks forward to discussing the 2021 Financial Statements, areas of specific interest and related matters with the representatives of CHI and the NPHDB.”

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

PAC is a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money. Further information on the role and remit of the Committee can be found here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.