The opening of the National Children’s Hospital has delayed yet again because ‘basic things’ are still not ready. 

It was hoped the building could be handed over to the HSE next month, allowing time for it to be fitted with medical equipment that would mean patients being treated there in early 2026. 

Earlier this week, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly wrote to ministerial colleagues, advising them the opening date had to be pushed back yet again. 

“Basic things are not right,” Irish Independent Ireland Editor Fionnan Sheahan told The Anton Savage Show. 

“Sinks, taps, showers without proper fixtures and fittings, vinyl flooring not down correctly. 

“Handrails - which in a hospital are obviously a very crucial thing - are not in place. 

“[Minister Donnelly is] saying that there’s about 5,000 rooms, spaces, corridors, nooks and crannies that you can individually point to in this hospital. 

“He’s saying 3,000 of them have been signed off on by the builder."

Building site of the National Children's Hospital. Image: KarlMPhotography / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Sheahan said there is talk of the hospital being handed over by construction firm BAM to the HSE in May 2025 but there is no guarantee this date will not also be pushed back. 

“The deadline keeps shifting, it can shift in a matter of weeks,” he said. 

“So, there’s not really that much confidence about May 2025.” 

Price tag

In 2014, the budget for the hospital was estimated at €800 million but the cost has since spiralled to more than double that figure. 

At this stage, the final price tag is through to be €2.2 billion and BAM have insisted the Government is mainly responsible for the increase. 

“The builder is saying in this case that the alterations, extra costs and so on are being added on because of ‘client based design changes’,” Mr Sheahan said. 

“They’re basically saying, ‘You keep changing what you want.’”

This version of events is disputed by the Department of Health. 

“There is basically an open slagging match between the Government and a massive multi-national construction firm that operates in numerous countries around the world,” Mr Sheahan said. 

Taoiseach Simon Harris has predicted that when the hospital finally opens it will be a “great source of pride”.

Main image: The new National Children's Hospital at St James's Hospital in Dublin. Picture by: Brian Lawless/PA Archive/PA Images