Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019
443. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the monthly timeline of each notification of cost increase that was provided to him by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board regarding the construction costs of the new national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4399/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was advised by my officials in September 2017 of a potential cost overrun of €61 million, related to a number of factors (including programme alignment, resequencing of works at OPD urgent care centres and fire certificate requirements). This was monitored through 2017 and 2018 with a view to offsetting the potential cost increases through a variety of measures.
I was next briefed on potential cost escalation on Monday 27 August 2018 following a meeting with Department officials and the Chair and CEO of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, NPHDB, on Friday, 24 August 2018.
A further note was provided to me on 7 September 2018 updating me on the emerging position on foot of briefing provided to the Department by the NPHDB.
Further updates were provided on 1 October and again on 9 November 2018. The NPDHB Report on the Process to Guaranteed Maximum Price was submitted to the HSE on 12 November 2018 and submitted to my Department by the HSE. That report set out the confirmation of the GMP process, which informed the preparation of the memo that I brought to Government on 18 December 2018.
