Construction work has progressed on the delivery of a new children's hospital and two Paediatric Outpatients and Urgent Care Centres in the Dublin area.

Phase B of the works will get underway next early next year following a recent government investment to the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board.

The contract will complete the new children's hospital on the St James' Hospital campus, as well as the two paediatric centres on the Tallaght and Connolly Hospital campuses.

Minister for Health Simon Harris TD announced the approval of funding for the projects yesterday, 18 December.

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He said: "The new children's hospital and the two outpatients and urgent care centres at Connolly Hospital and Tallaght University Hospital are long awaited and I am very pleased that the construction can continue now without delay. The hospital will facilitate the implementation of a new model of care that will have a profound impact on all paediatric services once the new hospital is open."

Plans for the new hospital were first green lit in April 2017, with enabling works already successfully delivered and Phase A construction works also nearing completion.

The new Connolly centre is on target for practical completion in Spring 2019 with the opening scheduled for July 2019. Works at Tallaght are also underway with a target handover date of July 2020, and the main hospital to be completed in 2022.

The Minister added: "While I fully support this project, there is no doubt that the additional costs associated with the project are of great concern and we must have assurance that Phase B of the construction project will be delivered within budget and timescale."

(CM/MH)