Call For Children's Hospital Planning Application To Move Ahead

Fianna Fáil Whip Seán Ó Fearghaíl is calling on the Health Minister James Reilly to clarify the time frame for the delivery of the new National Children's Hospital amid concern that the planning application may not now be lodged until Spring of next year.

Deputy Ó Fearghaíl commented: "The new National Children's Hospital has been plagued by delays for years and I am extremely concerned that the new timeline for delivery of the hospital on the site of St. James' Hospital may not now be met."


In February, Minister Reilly stated: "The aim is to have the site cleared by the end of this year, to have a planning decision and commence construction in Spring 2015, and to begin transition of services to the new children's hospital at the end of 2018."

Deputy Ó Fearghaíl said: "I have received information which suggests the planning application for the new hospital will not now be in a position to be lodged until Spring next year.

"This could again see the delivery date pushed out again. For a decision to be taken on planning next Spring a submission would need to be made before the end of this year. This project of vital importance for sick children across Ireland and I do not want to see anything delay it further.

"I am calling on Minister Reilly to lay out a specific time line for each stage of delivery and when he expects planning permission for the new hospital on the St. James' Hospital campus to be submitted."

(CD/JP)