Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Sinn Féin TD John Brady, has expressed extreme concern after information provided to the PAC by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), in relation to progress in the development of the National Children’s Hospital.
Opening statements from the NPHDB and CHI provided to the PAC ahead of a committee hearing on Thursday fail to set an updated deadline for completion, highlight that just 55% of the 5,728 rooms have been validated complete by the Design Team, with 12,414 defects remaining, and a serious issue in relation to dust in the hospital’s ventilation system.
Teachta Brady said:
“Tomorrow, the Public Accounts Committee will engage with officials from the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI)
“Symbolically, Thursday also marks the 18th substantial completion date for the National Children’s Hospital that has been missed.
“In advance of the meeting, the updates provided to the committee are of extreme concern.
“Over €1.6 billion has now been expended.
“Just 3,159 of the 5,728 rooms have been validated complete by the Design Team – leaving 2,569 still to be completed.
“It is also stated that BAM’s current offer rate of rooms for validation to the Design Team has declined in recent months.
“There are also over 12,000 defects, and the other issues that are sure to arise.
“In addition, a very concerning issue has developed in relation to dust in the ventilation system.
“How has this been allowed to happen?
“This raises serious concerns about the impact on the clinical environment and impact on the 15% of equipment that has already been installed.
“This saga cannot be allowed to continue in this way.
“The Minister’s out and out blame-BAM approach cannot continue.
“We need an updated completion date and the Minister to set out a clear path forward.”