Concerns grow over further delays to opening of €2.2bn National Children's Hospital

Eva Osborne

Concerns are growing over further delays to the opening of the National Children’s Hospital, as Children’s Health Ireland has yet to be granted early access to the building.

CHI had planned to begin preparations this summer, but says it is still waiting despite being ready to go since July 1st.

The €2.24 billion hospital is now due to be completed by the end of September, but key areas still have not met the required “snag-free” standard.

The hospital has already missed 14 previous deadlines.

Speaking on Newstalk, Sinn Féin's health spokesperson, David Cullinane, said it is disappointing.

"It's just one of the most frustrating public infrastructure projects that I have ever seen.

"It just has been riddled with controversy after controversy and, while we all want to get to a point where the hospital is open and is treating patients, I just find it incredible that only a number of months ago we were told that this commissioning process would happen earlier, that there would be access at this point.