Opposition parties have broadly welcomed the decision to build the new children’s hospital on the St James’s Hospital campus in Dublin.

The Health Minister James Reilly said that €26 million which had already been spent on the Mater site to date will not now be recovered.

Construction is expected to be completed by early 2018.

It all comes 9 months after An Bord Pleanála gave their objections to the proposed Mater site.

Mixed reactions

However Fianna Fail Health spokesman Billy Kelleher called for assurances to be given that the 3 existing children’s hospitals would be properly funded until the new facility is built.

While Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin  of  Sinn Fein said 2018 is too long to wait for the new facility.

And Independent TD Finian McGrath said too much money had been wasted on the Mater site in Dublin which was rejected by  An Bord Pleanála.