Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if construction plans for the proposed new National Children's Hospital have been affected by the current economic climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10420/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board was established in May 2007. Its primary function is to plan, design, build, furnish and equip the new National Paediatric Hospital. The framework brief was published in 2007. In 2008, the officers of the NPH Development Board were recruited. Business Management and Project Management Consultants were appointed in 2008/2009. The design brief for the new hospital and the paediatric ambulatory and urgent care centre at The Adelaide and Meath Hospital Dublin incorporating the National Children's Hospital in Tallaght has been developed. It is planned to progress this centre in the same manner and in the same timescale as the main hospital development. A design team was appointed in late 2009. The design fees reflect the current economic climate and are line with the Board's expectations. The design team has commenced the exemplar design which will form the basis of the design/build tender documentation. A definitive estimate of the projected development costs will be available when this stage is completed. Enabling works and sub-structure works are scheduled to commence on site in late 2010.

Development of the hospital is expected to progress on schedule with the development costs reflecting the increased value for money currently applying to large construction contracts.