Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Costello. Will he explain why these overruns were not anticipated? Was it a fault in procurement, tendering or both? An expression of deep disappointment does not reflect the frustration and anger felt by this committee over what has happened. We want to find out who was responsible for these failures as this is an unprecedented overrun in one of the largest infrastructural developments in Ireland. The consequences of these overruns are not confined to the national children's hospital, but will have knock-on effects in all capital investment in our health service over coming years, including the National Maternity Hospital, the national forensic hospital, the National Rehabilitation Hospital, the building of elective-only hospitals as identified by Sláintecare, the primary care programme and the replacement of equipment, which is necessary in all our hospitals, as well as the transitional funding that will be required to develop Sláintecare reform. It is not only a question of an overrun in the children's hospital, as it will be extremely damaging to all capital investment of the next few years. Therefore, I would like Mr. Costello to answer why these overruns were not anticipated.

Second, what has the board identified as the premium for building the hospital at the St. James's site rather than a greenfield site? There is obviously a huge cost in decanting buildings, as Mr. Costello described it, and demolition before construction was to take place.

Third, why has the cost exceeded the international average and become the most expensive children's hospital in the world and one of the most expensive hospitals in the world? What factors have led to that overrun? Why were they not anticipated? There are knock-on effects that will affect our health service. What was the premium for building on the St. James's site?