Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
892. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health the date on which she anticipates the new National Children's Hospital to be substantially completed by; if she or her officials have been notified by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board of a further delay in completion; and if she has communicated with the delivery contractor in March and or April 2026. [28687/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOpening 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.
The Minister for Health has 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 standards.
In February 2026, BAM submitted a programme of works, with a Substantial Completion date of 30 April 2026. While initially deemed compliant with the contract by the Employer’s Representative, the independent body responsible for administering the contract, it was ultimately found to be non-compliant, as BAM Ireland failed to deliver works as committed.
On 24 March, BAM informally advised the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) that it expects to meet the substantial completion “standard” by 30 April but with some exceptions to areas and operational systems. Crucially this does not represent substantial completion as BAM had previously committed to achieve by that date. This will be the 19th time BAM has shifted its Substantial Completion date over the last 6 years.
On 27 March, the Employer’s Representative (the independent third party responsible for administering the contract), requested BAM to submit a new programme. The NPHDB has advised that this has yet to be provided by the contractor.
Achieving Substantial Completion is essentially a ‘volume exercise,’ to complete over 5,700 rooms. To date, 3,118 of 5,728 rooms have reached the contract standard (c.54%). If BAM Ireland continually misses its room completion targets, then it is clear that it needs to increase resources to turn that slippage around.
In February 2026, the Minister for Health wrote to the Chair of the Supervisory Board of Royal BAM Group nv (the Dutch parent company of BAM Ireland) stating that the continued delays are unacceptable and unequivocally setting out the urgent need to deliver and resource the project as it had committed. In March, the Minister again wrote to the Royal BAM Group nv requesting a meeting without delay to discuss how and when BAM Ireland intends to complete this critical project.
On 13 March, the Minister, with HSE and NPHDB officials, met with senior representatives from Royal BAM Group nv including CEO Ruud Joosten. BAM committed to increasing resources on site and across contractors, and to provide clarity on early-access dates previously promised to CHI.
On 31 March, the Minister again met Senior BAM UK and Ireland executives at the site, reaffirming the State’s position, seeking a realistic update on when the previously promised clarity on when CHI will get access to the Hot Block (which includes critical care and theatres) and increased resources to complete the building. During the visit to the site, the Minister expressed her dissatisfaction of the visible lack of resources on site.
On 8 April, the Minister wrote to Royal BAM Group nv again, seeking an update on both when early access to the Hot Block will be provided and how and when BAM Ireland will be increasing resources on site. The Minister has yet to receive a satisfactory response.
The project is close to completion, but what is needed now is certainty, productivity, and delivery from BAM.
