The cost of the new Children’s Hospital will exceed €1.43billion, an Oireachtas committee heard yesterday.
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board chief David Gunning told the Health panel that figure – estimated in 2018 – was reached at the end of July. He also said construction is scheduled to be completed by March 2024 but could not divulge the final bill.
Representatives from the NPHDB and the Department of Health appeared before the Committee for an update on construction progress. The National Children’s Hospital on the St James’s Hospital site is the largest current infrastructure development in the State.
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It has run into significant delays and financial overruns. The original estimated cost in 2014 was €800million and the completion date in the tender document was August this year.
After Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane asked if the total cost would exceed €1.43billion, Mr Gunning replied: “Yes. As we look at the programme and the 17-month extension, the additional costs will bring us beyond that.”
He also told the panel construction was about 78% completed. Mr Gunning said: “The layout is clear and visible to all those who walk through the various departments. Intensive care pendants and bathroom fittings are being installed as are sliding doors.
“There are 22 operating theatres on the second floor where medical equipment installation, ceilings, walls and floor fit out is well under way. A&E, imaging, critical care and therapy areas are progressing at pace.” Mr Gunning said the first hospital rooms will be completed this month but the board could not say when the first patients will be admitted.
Senior Health Department official Derek Tierney said the construction schedule was extended in part due to the pandemic and that would result in “additional costs”. He told Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan: “We are in uncertain times. We have a contractors programme which is stating a date and that’s what we’re holding the contractor to.”
He added there is volatility in the construction sector but the risk is mitigated. The committee heard there are 989 claims from the contractor “still in play along the disputes process”.
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Mr Gunning said: “We have a very strong team to defend these claims. If they are resolved in the conciliation or the disputes management process we will have an answer. But if they go to the High Court it will be beyond the opening date before the final account is known.”
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