Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank and welcome the witnesses. I cannot get out of my mind the image of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, on the St. James's Hospital site with a shovel helping to commence works. I hope there is more than the Minister down there with shovels; I hope there are a few JCBs or the deadline will certainly run longer than 2020.

There are a few issues and slight difficulties. The board is charged with the responsibility of developing the site as proposed on the St James's Hospital site. I am sure that if the Government had picked another site the board would be charged with the responsibility of developing that site. The board's view can only be expressed on the site that has been chosen from the Government's point of view and the board's responsibility is to bring together the three children's hospitals in the context of the National Children's Hospital group and also the physical construction. There are, however, issues that are very relevant with regard to the development of the site to which I would like some answers, on the physical aspects and with regard to the services that will be delivered when it is finally completed.

During the initial phases there has been a lot of concern about the actual physical construction of the hospital itself and the expense that will be incurred. Mr. Pollock has already relayed the fact that the site had to be cleared to get to the stage where building work can commence.

These are all additional costs but they have to be incurred because the St. James's Hospital site has been chosen. There is a 50 acre site overall and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board will have approximately 12 or 13 acres available for the children's hospital.

Several issues have been raised. One relates to future proofing and further developments that may be required in the context of the children's hospital. This question is distinct from the maternity unit, which is separate. In terms of future proofing, when the hospital is fully developed is it completely locked in to the site for ever? Let us consider the amount of specialties in paediatrics. Within the concept, plans, design and construction, is there for flexibility or manoeuvre in terms of expansion of specialties in paediatrics? This arises because technologies and medical advances take place all the time.

This brings us back to the issue of relocating the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital to St James's Hospital. Reference has been made to the fact that it is a tight site. How confident are the members of the hospital development board, bearing in mind that An Bord Pleanála does not always get every decision right? Either way, it is always the final arbitrator. Once An Bord Pleanála decides one way or the other, that is the end of it. How confident are the development board members that, in the context of the national maternity strategy, moving the Coombe to St James's Hospital can be done successfully when it comes to construction? Reference has been made to how we could end up in a situation where the Coombe could not be relocated, but that there could be a high-dependency maternity obstetric service, a service for complications, in other words. The view is that the Coombe cannot move in its entirety.

Another issue is parking. We had a passionate contribution from a parent of a sick child today. I have met several others in recent years while discussing this issue as well. The issues of parking and the ambience are critical for parents and families. Can the members of the development board elaborate on whether there is sufficient parking for staff, parents and family members who will be there for long periods as well as people who may wish to visit, such as siblings?

A related question is the issue of green space and open space arises. The development board representatives have made reference to the fact that there will be a garden the length of Croke Park on the rooftop. Can the representatives elaborate further on whether it will be a real park that will be available at all times for family and children? Emergency transfer by air and road is another question. The helicopter pad will be accessible on a 24-7 basis. The helicopter would be flying in to a heavily populated residential area. Transfers by road is another matter. Can the representatives clarify the position on those areas?

There is a broader issue. Ms Hardiman is charged with bringing the three hospitals together into one group. How much consultation has there been with clinicians and worker representatives? We have heard of cases, whether they are factual, of there being large numbers of staff leaving St. James's Hospital. These include senior clinicians as well as nursing and ancillary staff. Is this the case? Does Ms Hardiman have any concerns about ensuring that the staff in the three hospitals will fully co-operate and move seamlessly into the new children's hospital?

I probably have a little more to say. Will we have an opportunity to come back in?