Further delay to National Children’s Hospital, committee to hear

Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Updated: 10am

The expected completion of the National Children’s Hospital has been delayed again, a committee is to be told.

The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is to inform Oireachtas members of the delays when it appears before the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday.

The original substantial completion date was for October 29th this year, but developer BAM has “indicated a further delay” to this date.

The board is expected to say that “all possible contractual levers are being applied to secure certainty” and that since March 2020, BAM has changed its forecast completion date “multiple times”.

The total spent on the hospital is €2.2 billion, after the Government approved more than €500 million in additional spending in February.

Speaking ahead of Thursday's PAC meeting, the committee's chair, Brian Stanley, said he is concerned that the board of the hospital does not have the “necessary levers” to hold the contractors to account.

The Sinn Féin TD told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland and Newstalk Breakfast that a number of factors had caused the delay, adding the problem was that the contractors had not kept to the original deadlines.

“The board does not appear to have the necessary levers to be able to hold them to that,” he said.

Mr Stanley pointed out that once the contractors finish on the site, there will remain a lot of work to be done in terms of fitting equipment and technology, which could take a further nine to 12 months.

“So you're looking at probably the best case scenario here at the back end of 2025.

“I hope it's sooner, but I think some people are of the view that this could run well into early 2026 before we actually treat patients, and that's the important issue here.”

Mr Stanley added there was also an issue surrounding the “thousands of claims” that BAM had made seeking an extra €785 million, of which €22.8 million was settled.

He noted 1,600 claims continue to be disputed by BAM, many of which could end up in court, and all of which could “substantially” add to the cost of the hospital.

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe previously said the additional €500 million approved in February was expected to be the “last significant” payment, adding that some of the claims being made by the contractors are being “vigorously contested”.

There had been flaws in the hospital contract “from day one”, Mr Stanley said.

“Lessons really have to be learned. We're heading for a nearly 400 per cent increase in the cost.”

Representatives from the board, the HSE and officials from the Department of Health are due to appear before the committee at 9.30am on Thursday.