The cost of building large projects like the National Children's Hospital could increase by as much as 40% while COVID-19 restrictions are in place.
Industry experts have told a Special Dáil Committee on the COVID-19 Response that reduced access and smaller workforces will lead to increased costs.
It has also been estimated the cost of building a house could rise by between €10,000 and €15,00.
Tom Parlon from the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) says there will be a significant increase in costs.
"Obviously the industry are building data centres, they're building highly-sopisticated pharma plants and so on."
"The industry have suggested it could be as much as 40% - the extra cost - while the very strict regime is in place".
Labour Party member of the special committee, Duncan Smith, has called for updated projections for the National Children’s Hospital to be published.
He said an increase in costs of up to 40% was "astronomical."
"The Irish people have already contributed a significant amount into the National Children’s Hospital to the tune of €2bn.
"The Government Procurement Office needs to now publish revised estimated final costs for the National Children’s Hospital and make known how much they anticipate the cost of the project to rise by."
Reporting by Sean Defoe and Jack Quann
