Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 75: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the development of the new national children's hospital, that is estimated to cost in the region of €1 billion, in view of the state of the public finances; the reason the completion date for the new hospital has been delayed until 2014; if this development as currently proposed is still a priority for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13115/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government is committed to proceeding with the development of the new national paediatric hospital as a priority project. The new hospital will be located beside the adult hospital on the Mater campus. The development will also include an associated Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght which is to open in advance of the main hospital. The project is being overseen by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board which was established in May, 2007. The HSE is working closely with the Board in progressing the project. The development of the hospital involves a number of phases. The planning, design and construction phases are scheduled for completion in 2013. The equipping and commissioning phases, which will allow the hospital to become operational, are scheduled for completion in 2014.

A detailed design brief for the new hospital is currently being prepared. This will be converted into an exemplar design, outlining the exact dimensions, standards and specifications for the new hospital, to allow the project proceed to tender for construction. A more comprehensive estimate of all costs will be available at that stage. However, current indications are that the project cost will be substantially less than the original estimate.