The construction of the National Children’s Hospital will be a “source of great pride”, according to Taoiseach Simon Harris. 

The hospital is being further delayed with construction now set to be complete by the end of October. 

A Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting heard yesterday that staffing plans for the hospital can only start after the building is ready. 

Construction, which originally was budgeted at €800 million in 2014, is now expected to cost €2.5 billion. 

Mr Harris was Minister for Health when construction for the hospital began and in 2018 when expected costs raised to €1.4 billion. 

He told Newstalk Breakfast he and the Government are responsible for increasing problems at the hospital – but they will also be responsible for successes. 

“Of course, we are responsible for the final cost of the project – we are also responsible for the impact this is going to have on children’s health,” he said. 

“Think of the other things that have costed €2 billion in recent years.” 

Mr Harris noted that the hospital is 92% completed and will be completed soon. 

“There's always a bit of wrangling when you get to the end of a major infrastructure project,” he said. 

“It’s going to be a source of great pride. 

“When Terminal Two was being built, I'm sure ‘omnishambles’ was being used to describe that as well.” 

National Children's Hospital centres

The Taoiseach also pointed out that the National Children’s Hospital also includes the completed centres Tallaght and Connolly. 

“Both centres are improving wait times for children,” he said. 

While Mr Harris’ Government – both as Health Minister and Taoiseach – have overseen delays, he argued that issues with the hospital did not start with him. 

“This has been the greatest game of pass the parcel in decades,” he said. “This has been the greatest game of pass the parcel in decades and sometimes the easiest way to avoid a challenge in politics is to dither. 

Construction underway on the site of the new National Children's Hospital in Dublin. Image: BAM Ireland

“Remember all the debate about where are you going to put it, when are we going to build it. 

“After generations of debates about the children’s hospital, it’s 92% complete, with two out of three parts open.” 

According to yesterday’s hearing, construction company BAM has made 2,782 extra claim costs while building the National Children’s Hospital. 

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Main image: Then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and then-Health Minister Simon Harris discussing the construction of the National Children's Hospital, 23/10/2017. Image: RollingNews.ie