James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The decision to locate the new children's hospital at the St. James's Hospital campus was announced on 6 November 2012. Co-location, and ultimately tri-location with a maternity hospital, on the St. James's campus will support the provision of excellence in clinical care that our children deserve.

Following the announcement of the Government decision, detailed consideration has been given to the project management structures and governance arrangements required to enable delivery of the project as quickly as possible and to the highest quality. In this regard I intend to restructure the national paediatric hospital development board and establish a children's hospital group which will include the three existing paediatric hospitals. The restructured national paediatric hospital development board will focus on the capital project only. The membership of the restructured board will align with this core function and include the necessary capital development expertise.

The required legislation will, inevitably, take some time and as the terms of office of the majority of board members expired on 5 December, I have appointed senior representatives from my Department and the HSE as an interim measure aimed at ensuring effective governance and decision-making for the project. At this important initial transitional stage it is crucial that the project continues without delay. The Government's priority is to ensure that the project proceeds securely to completion as quickly as possible and with optimal results. I am confident that the project management and governance structures now being put in place will enable the fastest possible delivery of this key infrastructure for children's hospital services.

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