Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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121. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has communicated with National Paediatric Hospital Development Board since 1 March 2020 on the cost projections for the national children’s hospital caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8769/20]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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122. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has communicated with the National Procurement Board since 1 March 2020 on the increased cost projections for the national children’s hospital caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8770/20]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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123. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the communications that have taken place between his Department and the Department of Health regarding the potential for increased costs in the development of the national children’s hospital in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8772/20]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 123, inclusive, together.

In reply, I would inform the Deputy that questions in relation to the costs associated with the National Children’s Hospital are proper to my colleague the Minister for Health in the first instance. I have engaged in no particular correspondence with the Minister for Health or the two Boards referred to in relation to any potential for increased costs for this project arising in the context of Covid-19. Officials in my Department and in the Department of Health remain in contact from time to time on this and other matters relating to the capital programme and to the wider Covid-19 response. As the Deputy may be aware, the National Children's Hospital Development Board (NCHDB) handles the day-to-day management of the costs associated with the National Children's Hospital, including with a view to robustly defending the contract from any undue escalation in costs, and in this context certain issues in relation to contract management are currently before the courts.