Government wasn’t been straight with the public on National Children’s Hospital

• Serious questions for Minister and Government
• Full information on cost, staffing and new opening date now needed
• Minister must publish briefing note in full
• Govt needs to be straight with public

Labour health spokesperson Marie Sherlock has called on the Minister for Health to provide the public clarity with the opening date of the National Children’s Hospital (NCH).

Deputy Sherlock said:

“I think the public will be shocked but not surprised to hear of yet another delay in the delivery of a much needed hospital for children in Ireland. The news that it will now be 2026 for the likely opening will be another blow in this long running saga for families and hospital staff who desperately need access to better facilities.

“The reality is the main contractor of the hospital has moved the completion date over 14 times and four times over the course of 12 months up to last year. However, the revelation today owes itself to the Government not playing straight with the public.

“Late last year, then Minister Donnelly was challenged in the Health Committee as to the date of delivery given the necessary six months commissioning time and the clinical guidance advising against moving in wintertime. The then Minister bluffed that he wouldn’t countenance 2026, yet we hear today that the opening date will have to be next year.

“We need to hear from Minister Carroll McNeill and from the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board on whether they are confident of the June 2025 for end of construction, whether the works are contractually compliant given we heard late last year of real concerns to the contrary, whether more money will be required beyond the additional €426m given by Government last year and what is the impact of the new opening date on the staffing plan for the new children’s hospital.

“Again Minister Donnelly claimed that there are now more than enough staff from across the existing three hospitals to meet the 3905 staff target.

“However, this is odds with the reality of the major shortages of specialist paediatric care. If Government is serious about ensuring optimal use of the hospital from day one of opening then we need to hear about the staffing plan in place.

“Anyone who has spent time in Temple Street or other children’s hospitals know just how much the new hospital is desperately needed.

“However at this stage, for the most of the public it is a case of seeing will be believing. The Ministerial briefing should be published in full now in the interest of transparency.”