Cost Of Children's Hospital Could Pass €2bn, Oireachtas Committee Told

The Oireachtas Committee have been told that costs of the new National Children's Hospital could pass €2 billion.

The committee also heard today that only 1% of the rooms due for completion at this point in the process, have been built. 

The board were informed by the head of the hospital's board that unless the contractor changes its behaviour, higher costs and further delays could occur.

The higher costs are said to be the result of claims for a further €756m in funds, made by the contractor, BAM.  BAM, have revealed that this project will not be finished until the middle of next year, with the committee also being told that May 2024 is the "substantial completion date". 

Most of this funding, €573m - relates to just 16 claims (out of a total of 2,175). These claims are calling for compensation for delays amounting to 2,376 days, which BAM have stated "is our fault". 

The Oireachtas Committee were informed about this by Dave Gunning, Chief Officer of the National Pediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB).

These latest bills would see the expected cost of building the hospital increase to €2.2 billion on its own. This would be added to the budget of €1.43bn, with €1.35 billion already being used.

Dave Gunning revealed that a request has been made to the Governement for additional funding, while also warning that "further slippages" could happen if BAM do not change their behaviour.

He also claimed that BAM failed to provide an update on the project earlier this month, meaning that a new, specific completion date cannot be set.