Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the construction of the new children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48051/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The new children's hospital project is a priority for me and for this Government. In October, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced that up to €250m would be available for the project from the sale of the National Lottery, adding to the €450m Exchequer funding already indented.

The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is the body responsible for the capital project. Last August, I announced appointments to this Board to replace the transitional Board which had been in place since January this year. These appointments bring architectural, planning, procurement, engineering and construction expertise to the project. Also in August, I announced appointments to the Children's Hospital Group Board which, as client for the project, will play a key role in ensuring the new hospital is optimally designed and completed as swiftly as possible. Earlier this month, Ms Eilísh Hardiman took up post as CEO of the Children's Hospital Group, and will play a central role in driving forward the integration of the three hospitals, and the project as a whole.

Prior to the commencement of construction, key elements of the project include design development, decant works for the site and planning permission. The new Board has reviewed the design team procurement process, which had been initiated in July, and decided on a change of approach based on its collective expertise and taking into account changing market conditions. While this means that the design team will be selected in Spring 2014, rather than by the end of this year as originally planned, the Board is confident there will be no delay to the project overall. Work on the review of urgent care centre configuration is at an advanced stage and I intend to bring proposals in this regard to Government shortly.

Pre-application planning discussions have commenced, a masterplan for the St. James's Hospital campus is being prepared and St. James's Hospital is working closely with the Development Board and the HSE in relation to the decant phase of the project.

Work on developing a detailed timeline is continuing, which will reflect the urgency and priority of the project and also its scale and complexity. However, at this stage, the Board is confident that construction can begin in Spring 2015.