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National Children's Hospital

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 December 2013

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Ceisteanna (41)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which progress is being achieved in regard to the provision of the proposed new children’s hospital; the extent to which planning or other preliminaries have been advanced to date; if it is expected that consultancy costs arising from previous proposals in respect of the project are likely to bring about any reduction in the current costs; when it is expected that construction work is likely to start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54081/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The new children's hospital project is a priority for this Government. The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is the body responsible for the capital project. Last August, I announced appointments to this Board to replace the transitional Board which had been in place since January this year. These appointments bring architectural, planning, procurement, engineering and construction expertise to the project. In August I also announced appointments to the Children's Hospital Group Board which, as client for the project, will play a key role in ensuring the new hospital is optimally designed and completed as swiftly as possible. In November, the Programme Director of the Development Board and the CEO of the Children's Hospital Group were appointed. The CEO of the Children's Hospital Group will play a central role in driving the integration of the three hospitals, and the project as a whole.

Prior to the commencement of construction, key elements of the project include design development, decant works for the site and planning permission. The new Development Board has reviewed the design team procurement process, which had been initiated in July, and decided on a change of approach based on its collective expertise and taking into account changing market conditions. While this means that the design team will be selected in Spring 2014, rather than by the end of this year as originally planned, the Development Board is confident there will be no delay to the project overall. Pre-application planning discussions have commenced, a masterplan for the St. James's Hospital campus is being prepared and St. James's Hospital is working closely with the Development Board and the HSE in relation to the decant phase of the project. Work on the review of urgent care centre configuration is at an advanced stage and I intend to bring proposals in this regard to Government shortly.

In October, the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform announced that up to €200m would be made available for the new Children’s Hospital from the sale of the National Lottery, adding to the existing €450m Exchequer funding. The level of funding now in place underlines the Government’s commitment to this priority project. Also, philanthropic / non-Exchequer funding will be sought to the maximum and most appropriate degree. Work on developing a detailed timeline is continuing, which will reflect the urgency and priority of the project and also its scale and complexity. However, at this stage, the Development Board is confident that construction can begin in Spring 2015.

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