Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Another issue I wish to discuss is the national development plan and the national children's hospital. A memorandum on funding from the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. Robert Watt, was published. It was dated from May and covered his assessment of the broadband plan. He said the extra funding needed for the national children's hospital project in the period 2020 to 2022 was €385 million. Can the Department account for that figure? The summer economic statement includes a figure of €200 million for 2020. It is for the hospital project and any potential expenditure under the national broadband plan above and beyond what was provided for. How much of the €200 million relates to the national children's hospital project in 2020? Does the Department have an estimate? From where will the balance to meet the shortfall come?