Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We can do that. There is concern in relation to that issue. This time last year, members will recall, we were trying to arrange for the Department and the hospital board to come in to discuss this. We delayed it and put it back to 9 February to facilitate this report on the children's hospital. I was actually at that site the other day. I am at a loss at this point as to how we are in a situation whereby the project is this far advanced without being able to ascertain the final costs. I do not expect them to pin that down to the nearest dollar because obviously there are tweaks taking place and different elements built in for construction inflation. How come the taxpayers, the Oireachtas, this committee and indeed the health committee, which has pursued this vigorously as well, cannot be given a figure for the estimated cost of this project when it is completed? We are left guessing. The media are left speculating, as are we. We are trying to pick up hints from what we are being told. As Chairperson, I find it totally disrespectful to be honest. I do not see why this figure is not available at this point. There is something seriously wrong if the Department cannot state the final cost of this project or when it will be completed. I support the Deputy's request that we send correspondence to the Secretary General of the Department prior to his appearance here in two weeks' time. That is agreed.

We should also ask about the value for money review of the nursing homes support scheme. It is incredible that a Department is in the situation whereby it does not have that report completed two and a half years later. The world outside moves on apace, but somehow or another, this report cannot be done in a two-and-a-half-year timeframe. We should ask, if the committee is agreeable, that the Department should complete that report and give us an update on it when it comes before the committee. At this point, Oireachtas Members, who are elected on behalf of the citizenry who pay the taxes that facilitate these schemes and everything else, need to know the answer to this. We will ask the secretariat to include in the correspondence that we are disappointed and that we feel it has dragged on unnecessarily for a long period of time. In any circumstances, it should have been completed by now. It should have been completed a long time ago. When Department officials come before us in two weeks' time, they should have those reports with them. That is agreed. Do any other members wish to come in?