Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health David Cullinane TD has said that there is a vacuum of transparency and accountability in the development of the National Children’s hospital.

He said that it is a never-ending saga of claims and rising costs with no completion date in sight.

Teachta Cullinane said:

“Eight months ago, the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board committed to returning to the Health Committee with revised costs and timelines.

“They were not in a position to give detail then, which was highly unsatisfactory. But it is unacceptable that they are still not in a position to give clarity on the rising costs of the project.

“There is a vacuum of transparency and accountability in the development of the National Children’s Hospital.

“Total claims have risen from 600 to 900, and most have been parked for later settlement, which is kicking the can down the road.

“The Board did not have information to hand on how many have been settled, when they will be addressed, or their potential value.

“The National Children’s Hospital is a never-ending saga of more claims, rising costs, and no completion date in sight.

“The sketchy information that the Board could provide indicates that we are now looking at the second half of 2024, if not 2025, at the earliest before the hospital is finished.

“Nothing has changed since November except more claims and higher costs.

“We know this government cannot build houses, but it is clear from this and the National Maternity Hospital that they cannot build hospitals either.”