The opening date for National Children's Hospital has been delayed yet again. 

The project was originally due to be completed by August 2022, but the multi-billion euro hospital will instead open its doors in June next year. 

Since planning permission was granted in 2016, the opening date has been pushed back 14 times.

“We’re all flabbergasted that it’ll be another 12 months before the opening of the new National Children’s Hospital,” Labour’s Marie Sherlock said. 

“It’s a blow to families and, indeed, staff who desperately need the modern facilities. 

“The reality here is the Government has not been straight with the public.” 

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

Deputy Sherlock has called on the Minister for Health to provide clarity of the issue. 

“The reality now is that we’re looking at 12 months away to spring 2026 by the time we will see the new National Children’s Hospital open,” she said. 

“That is some four-years after the original date. 

“But the critical issue now is that the Minister publishes the briefing that she privately got, [in which] she makes clear that she’s confident construction work will conclude in June of this year.” 

Once completed, the new hospital is designed to last a century.

Main image: New National Children's Hospital. Picture by: PA Archive/PA Images.