Children's Hospital decision set for September
The Health Minister has confirmed that a final decision on proceeding with the National Children's Hospital will be made in September.
Minster James Reilly has just published the independent review of the proposed facility which said it should proceed on the site of the Mater Hospital in Dublin. It will now be submitted for planning permission.
"I’m committed to it, and it’s in our Programme for Government, but sadly everything has to go through this comprehensive review," he said.
"I can’t go beyond that, and I can’t second-guess the outcome of that review, other than to say that I would be, obviously, very keen that it would go through."
The review noted that no site would have provided the perfect solution. It concluded, however, that that the cost of developing the facility there is similar to the costs which would be incurred if the project was provided on any of the alternatives examined.
The report gave "unanimous and unequivocal support" for the Mater site.
"We have always supported the proposal to build a new children’s hospital which will provide the very best services and treatments for the children of Ireland," said Minster Reilly. "I am now fully satisfied that the Mater site is the right location."
