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

We may. According to that correspondence from Mr. McCarthy, total expenditure on commercial property for the beneficiaries of temporary provision last year was over €1.1 billion. In quarter 1 of 2024, for the beneficiaries of temporary provision, who are Ukrainians, the spend was €214 million. It would seem to have slowed down a bit. The figure for the first three months of this year is lower. It would seem that fewer commercial properties have been used. The situation is not sustainable in the long term in the absence of a long-term plan and the State facilities that were promised. I note that. We note and publish that item of correspondence.

No. R2631 was received from Mr. David Gunning, chief officer, National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, dated 29 May 2024. It provides correspondence to the committee in response to a request for a copy of the BAM programme regarding a substantial completion date for the national children’s hospital. It is proposed to note and publish this item of correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

We asked for information from the representatives of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board when they were before the committee. They refused to answer a question regarding the baseline programme. They said it was confidential under the contract and commercially sensitive. Will Mr. McCarthy offer an opinion on that?