Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The new national children's hospital will transform healthcare for children on our island. Elements of it are already open, including the ambulatory care centres in Blanchardstown and Tallaght. People who have taken their kids there will know quite how good healthcare can be when we have modern facilities. The main building has been under construction for quite some time, next to St. James's Hospital. We anticipate that it will be completed and handed over next year, and will be commissioned in the months after that. Contrary to reports in some headlines this morning, work on the new children's hospital has not stopped or paused. I am advised that the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, NPHDB, which is the State body charged with building the new hospital, is undertaking a review relating to 11 of the 22 theatres. As we all know, theatres are critically important rooms. That is why it is important for the NPHDB to check and correct any potential deviations from plans. There can be no suggestion that any additional work on these 11 theatres, should it even be needed, could have any effect on the completion or opening of the hospital. Any works, if needed, can be done in parallel.

This review is par for the course in construction, and no different from several reviews to investigate more significant changes in design proposed by the main contractor across the project. The NPHDB informs me that the review is not indicative of any wider design issues. The reality is that no works have been asked for, so it is unclear how they could possibly be costed or scheduled. The NPHDB and the employers' representatives have been engaging with the contractor for months, seeking a programme outlining how it will successfully complete the final 20% of the hospital. This has not been forthcoming. The Government believes this is an unhelpful distraction, aimed at shifting the focus from the contractor and its responsibilities to others.

To answer the Deputy's question, I was first informed of this matter this morning. I am not sure if what she is informing me of is even accurate. It is disputed by the board. I would like to know from the Deputy who these independent experts are that she has referred to. Has she checked that they are independent experts? What is the source of these allegations that she has put on the record of the Dáil?

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