Mr. John O'Grady:

The Department has previously acknowledged that the national children's hospital will take longer and, as a consequence of this extension of time, the project will ultimately cost more than was originally allocated. Some €1.433 billion was approved by Government in 2018. That budget has not been depleted to date. Some €1.275 billion of it has been drawn down. We cannot give any update on the quantum of uplift that budget may require. We will engage with Government in due course when that figure is clearer. As the Deputy herself referenced, there is a claims settlement process under way. We need to protect the State's interest here and cannot put any information about that process in the public domain.