Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Again, I thank the Senator for raising this matter. It is a great opportunity to provide an update on the new children's hospital, progress on site and the positive impact the new facilities are already having on our young people, their families and our healthcare professionals.

I acknowledge that the national children's hospital project has had its difficulties and delays. It is an extremely ambitious and complex project, and it is important to acknowledge the great progress that has been made. It is very apparent from the outside but internally we have discernible rooms at various stages of progression and over 26 km of internal walls were installed in 2021. I know the development board is once again facilitating site visits and I strongly encourage Senators and other politicians to take the opportunity to visit the site if they have not already done so.

We have a timeline for substantial completion by the contractor of December 2023, to open in 2024 following a commissioning period. The development board will continue to work to ensure that the contractor meets its own commitments.