Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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257. To ask the Minister for Health if the provision of the new children's hospital is progressing satisfactorily; if it will be provided on schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14205/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The previous Government's decision to locate the new children's hospital at the St James's campus was based on the over-riding priority of best clinical outcomes for our children and, in particular, the sickest of these. That decision is unequivocally supported by this Government and by me as Minister. The planned new facilities will provide us with the means to deliver on improved health outcomes for children, especially the sickest children in Ireland. I am delighted at the unanimous decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for these vital new facilities as designed.

The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) is the statutory body responsible for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital. The NPHDB has commenced the tender process for enabling works contractors for the St James’s site and tender returns have been received. It is expected that the enabling works contractor will be appointed in the coming weeks, for commencement on site in July. It is expected that the satellite centres can open in 2018, significantly enhancing access to urgent care and outpatient services for children from the Greater Dublin Area. Building work on the main site will be completed in 2020.