Paul Lawless
Question:211. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will list the dates upon which she has met with, or corresponded with the CEO of a company (details supplied) since she took office. [40378/26]
View answerWednesday, 27 May 2026
Questions (211)
Written answers
Opening the National Children’s Hospital Ireland (NCHI) is a Government priority. Everything possible is being done to ensure this world-class hospital will open as quickly as possible, on behalf of children, young people, and their families.
I have been clear that the responsibility for committing to, resourcing, and delivering this project sits squarely with BAM Ireland, and the State will not reduce the pressure or dilute that accountability. The State cannot accept a hospital that is not completed to the correct contractual and clinical standards.
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) holds statutory responsibility for the delivery of the National Children’s Hospital Ireland (NCHI) on behalf of the State and is the contracting authority under the construction contract with BAM Ireland. In this capacity, the NPHDB engages with BAM Ireland on a continuous basis, across all aspects of the project.
I have engaged directly with Senior officials, throughout my term of office – through both written correspondence and in-person meetings.
On 13 March 2026, I, along with HSE and NPHDB officials, met with senior representatives from Royal BAM Group nv including CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, Ruud Joosten. On 31 March, I again met Senior BAM UK and Ireland executives at the NCHI site.
Throughout my engagements with BAM – whether written or in a meeting - I have reiterated the State’s position that the continued delays to the project are unacceptable and I unequivocally set out the urgent need to deliver and resource the project as committed.
In the course of these engagements with me, BAM has committed to increasing resources on site and across contractors, and to provide clarity on early-access dates previously promised to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). Despite multiple commitments, I have yet to receive a satisfactory response and or seen the fulfilment of these commitments.
My engagement with BAM to date is outlined in the table below.
The project is close to completion, but what is needed now is certainty, productivity, and delivery from BAM.
|
Form of Engagement |
Date |
To/From or Meeting Attendees |
|
Letter |
15 April 2025 |
Minister to Chair of Supervisory Board of Royal BAM Group |
|
Letter |
2 May 2025 |
Chief Operating Officer of BAM UK & Ireland to Minister Carroll MacNeill |
|
Letter |
9 Feb 2026 |
Minister to Chair of Supervisory Board of Royal BAM Group |
|
Letter |
9 March 2026 |
Minister to Chair of Supervisory Board of Royal BAM Group |
|
Letter |
12 March 2026 |
Chief Operating Officer of BAM UK & Ireland to Minister |
|
Meeting |
13 March 2026 |
Meeting with Royal BAM nv Officials at NCHI Attendees: Minister, Royal BAM nv officials including CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, Ruud Joosten, DoH officials, NPHDB officials including Chair and Chief Officer |
|
Letter |
19 March 2026 |
Minister to Chair of Supervisory Board of Royal BAM Group |
|
Letter |
23 March 2026 |
Chief Operating Officer of BAM UK & Ireland to Minister |
|
Letter |
25 March 2026 |
Minister to Chair of Supervisory Board of Royal BAM Group |
|
Letter |
27 March 2026 |
Chief Operating Officer of BAM UK & Ireland to Minister |
|
Accompanied site visit |
31 March 2026 |
Site visit with Senior BAM Officials at NCHI Attendees: Minister, Royal BAM nv officials including Chief Operating Officer of BAM UK & Ireland, DoH officials, NPHDB officials including Chair and Chief Officer |
|
Letter |
8 April 2026 |
Minister to Chair of Supervisory Board of Royal BAM Group |