Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
1160. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Health for an update on timelines and funding for the planned move of the National Maternity Hospital from Holles St., Dublin 2, to St. Vincent's in Dublin [37298/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is committed to the development of the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) at Elm Park.
It is a major infrastructural investment by the State for women’s health, providing much needed facilities for women and babies for generations to come. The extra capacity to be provided at the new NMH will help safeguard national neonatal, maternity and gynaecology service provision.
The overall budget of the new NMH will be made up of several factors including programme costs, inflation and contingencies. The main cost will be the actual construction cost.
The procurement and tender process concluded in 2025, and the outcomes were incorporated into a Final Business Case. This Final Business Case has been submitted to officials in the Department of Health and is being finalised in line with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
Concurrently, the successful tenderers entered a non-binding pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) with the HSE. This PCSA process brings contractors and suppliers together to agree detailed delivery programmes, de-risk sequencing, and mobilise supply chains.
This approach, drawn from lessons in other large projects, ensures greater programme certainty. A final completion date for the project and programme of works will also be validated through the PCSA. The PCSA process will conclude shortly and, together with the final business case, will inform a Memorandum for Government seeking approval for the HSE to proceed to sign main works contracts and commence full construction.
Enabling works remain ongoing at the site of the new development and are due for conclusion at the end of Q2 2026. These works include upgraded electrical and water infrastructure, junction improvements, service diversions, and construction of new facilities required to decant services from the footprint of the new NMH. These new facilities include a neurology ward, dermatology facilities and a staff canteen.
