Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I return to the issue of the overrun on the cost of the national children's hospital, which the Taoiseach answered in general terms earlier. He said he thinks the current estimate, that is, on 15 January, is the same as it was before Christmas, but in the past number of weeks there has been further speculation that it has risen from the staggering €1.4 billion, which he indicated to the House before Christmas, to €1.7 billion, although even that might not be the height of the cost.

The Taoiseach talked about the 15 operating theatres and all the rest of it. We know what this really good hospital will comprise. In my political career I have never seen a project so completely out of control in terms of cost. Even the expanded cost, which was originally €450 million but more realistically €650 million, is now likely to be three times that figure. How can that be? How did that come about? What are the factors? The Taoiseach indicated earlier that it was an issue of construction inflation. Construction inflation does not triple the price, otherwise every single project under construction right now would be triple the price of the estimate, which is not the case. What are the specific reasons? Why was this not drawn to people's attention before the end of last year in a very public fashion?

Finally, the Taoiseach indicated that €100 million of cuts would be required across the public sector capital programme this year and that €50 million of this would be in health. He more or less said it would just delay projects. People are urgently waiting for dialysis units to be constructed as well as facilities in hospitals up and down the country. Delays are really having an impact. Many school projects will be affected as a result of the €50 million to be found elsewhere. Some €100 million is a really significant sum of money. Can the Taoiseach indicate exactly where that €100 million will be found and give the House a real explanation as to how this particular project has completely gone off the rails in terms of cost oversight?

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