Fianna Fail is calling on the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, to answer questions over the development of a new Children's Hospital in Dublin.

Dublin-based Senator and Seanad Group Leader, Catherine Ardagh, accused Minister Harris of showing a complete lack of impetus and called for him to appear before the Seanad to explain why the Director General of the HSE, Tony O'Brien, stated at the Future of Healthcare Committee that the new Children's Hospital will not be progressing.

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She said: "100 years on from the foundation of the State and the most unwell of our children are being treated in substandard medical facilities or in many cases, not being treated at all.

"It has become a matter of fact that Ireland needs a National Children's Hospital.

"Despite continual promises, it is most unlikely that the hospital will be fully operational by 2021. The Minister and his close colleagues have shown a complete lack of impetus to find solutions to tackle the already mounting costs.

"The distinct failure to provide leadership, and execute this critically needed project has led to additional time delays, subsequently leading to rising construction and related costs. It is extraordinary how the reported costs to develop the hospital have increased by 50% over the course of 12 months.

"The State is already expected to foot an additional €300 million euro bill, while continued delays are set to only increase that taxpayer bill even further."

(CD/LM)