Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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903. To ask the Minister for Health the progress to date in respect of the national children’s hospital including the facilities at Connolly and Tallaght; the extent to which the status of the projects are in line with expectation in terms of capacity and progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51271/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The New Children’s Hospital Project, comprising the main hospital at St James’s campus in Dublin, and two paediatric outpatient and urgent care centres at Connolly and Tallaght hospitals, is a Government priority.

A major milestone was reached in July 2019, when the Urgent Care Centre at the Connolly Hospital campus opened, providing a new model of ambulatory care for children. 

This investment has already seen tangible improvements in services. Waiting lists for general paediatrics significantly reduced within one year of opening. The value of new and modern infrastructure in the context of service delivery during a pandemic was demonstrated at “CHI at Connolly”.  The building layout at the new facility supported delivery of safe services and, even when busy, allowed for seamless patient flow. 

From 4 January to 27 August 2021, there were 9,248 outpatient attendances at CHI at Connolly, up around 50% on the same period in 2020. Urgent care activity is also increasing. From 4 January to 3 September 2021, 6,077 children presented for urgent care. 96% of these were discharged home after their visit. 

The second paediatric Outpatient and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght Hospital reached substantial completion on the 9th September 2021, in line with the contractor’s schedule, and has been handed over to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) for operational commissioning. It is expected to be open in November 2021.

The opening of the second of the three new campuses, the Paediatric Outpatient and Urgent Care Centre, “CHI at Tallaght” will be another important milestone in the NCH programme and in the delivery of children’s health services.  It will provide further modern facilities to support primary and community paediatrics, will also support infection prevention and control, and improve patient pathways.

Together with the Urgent Care Centre at Connolly these new facilities will improve access to urgent care for a significant number of children. 

The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has the statutory responsibility and resources to plan, design, build, furnish and equip the new children’s hospital and continues to engage with the main contractor and reviews the contractor’s programme of works on a regular basis.

Like many other sectors of the economy, the construction sector has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and progress on the main building at St James’s campus was delayed. In addition, the sector is challenged by Brexit and global supply chain issues, but the NPHDB and contractors are working hard to mitigate those risks.  

Despite delays, work on the new children’s hospital building at St James’s is progressing well and the building is taking shape. The infill concrete slabs over the steelwork frame, closing in the concourse is now complete. The hospital will be essentially weathertight by end of the year. The fit out of certain internal areas is continuing, with discernible rooms and clinical areas taking shape.