HSE Yet To Finalise Captial Spending Plans Due To Costs Of National Children's Hospital

A PWC investigation previously said re-tendering the project is not a feasible option and would likely increase costs. 

Opposition TDs have challenged the government to outline what projects, if any, may be delayed or cut as a result of the overspend.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney has re-iterated the government's position that projects underway and contracted to deliver will proceed.

The cost of the new National Children’s Hospital could now go up by tens, if not hundreds of millions of euro, due to construction inflation alone. 

That's according to Fred Barry, chair of the board overseeing the project, which is already expected to cost about a billion more than previously estimated. 

Construction of the €1.4 billion hospital at Dublin's St. James's site is progressing, with crews visibly starting to build the frame above ground. 

Answering questions at the Oireachtas Health Committee from Fianna Fáil's Stephen Donnelly, Fred Barry says inflation could see costs rise by over €100 million.  

Meanwhile more than a million euro has been spent on PR for the Hospital project.

Public relations firm Q4PR has been paid more than a million euro in consultancy fees since 2015.