Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

610. To ask the Minister for Health when he expects to publish the report prepared by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board which outlined the progress of the national paediatric hospital project to date including the analysis of the final cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55936/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital (NCH). The NPHDB has, at my request, undertaken an assessment of the project to determine the implications of any delay(s), and to determine the most effective pathway to ensure the timely completion of this critical project.

Since the analysis relates to a live contract, it is commercially sensitive and must remain confidential to ensure that the contractual relationships and the project are not adversely affected. As such, definitive publication and updates on outturn costs cannot be provided. However, updates on progress have been shared with key, relevant stakeholders, as appropriate, noting among other things that: ‘Topping out’ at the main hospital building at Rialto was achieved last March, the stone and glazed facade is well advanced and the hospital is expected to be largely weathertight before the end of the year, and the main mechanical and electrical plant at basement level is nearing completion, with the primary distribution under construction up the building. The fit out of the south fingers comprising Outpatients, Cardiology Wards, and Therapies is progressing well, and the fit out of the ‘Hot Block’ comprising Emergency Department, Critical Care and Theatres is well underway.

Construction work at the paediatric outpatient and urgent care centre at Tallaght University Hospital was also recently substantially completed in line with the contractor's schedule and the facility was open on 15 November 2021, following a period of operational commissioning.

Building on this progress, the NPHDB and the main contractor are working to do everything they can in order to complete the project as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, this contract is operating in a very dynamic construction environment, one where Brexit and the global COVID-19 pandemic have severely impacted supply chains and material lead times. The NCH project is not immune to these external risks. However, every effort is being taken to mitigate risks, wherever possible. Notwithstanding commercial sensitivities, external risks make speculation and definitive forecasting unwise.