Fianna Fáil is calling for work on the new National Children's Hospital in Dublin to continue without delay.

Health Spokesperson, Billy Kelleher also said that no further delays or increases in the overall cost of the project will be tolerated.

Deputy Kelleher was commenting after the Minister for Health proposed at a meeting of the Government that approval be given to proceed with the project at the St James' Hospital site.

-- Advertisement --

He said: "It's now clear that it will be at least five years before the hospital is in a position to treat patients. We were originally promised a hospital by early 2018, but with an expected 2021 opening, we cannot have any further delays.

"Budgets must be strictly controlled and there cannot be any further increases in the overall budget."

The establishment of the new children's hospital will provide an opportunity to establish a new model of care that will optimise how paediatric services are provided in Ireland. The hospital will provide tertiary and quaternary paediatric services for the children of Ireland, including on an all-island basis, where agreed between the Department of Health and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland.

(CD/MH)