Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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193. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to hold members of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board accountable for the significant cost increases associated with the national children’s hospital; the number of occasions he has met with the board since April 2017; if the escalating costs were discussed; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3580/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Governance structures, approved by Government in April 2017, are in place to oversee and monitor progress on the Children’s Hospital Project and Programme. These include the Children’s Hospital Project and Programme Board,  chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health, and the Children’s Hospital Project and Programme Steering Group, chaired by the Deputy Director General of the Health Service Executive. The Steering Group directs the overall programme of work within agreed parameters, and reports to the Children’s Hospital Project and Programme Board.

An independent review of the escalation in cost in determining the adjusted contract sum, the contributory factors and associated responsibilities so that any potential weaknesses are identified and comprehensively and speedily resolved in the interests of the successful completion of the project and the effective management of public funds commenced this week. The review is expected to take place over an 8-week period with the report to be completed in March.  

In addition, a review of the existing oversight arrangements between the Department of Health, HSE and the NPHDB will also be undertaken to assess the adequacy of existing management and governance in place to ensure the completion of this project.  It is expected that the findings from the independent review will inform the work required on the broader governance review.

The Department, the HSE and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board are fully committed to collaborating with these reviews and to implementing any recommendations arising.