Harris took passive approach as costs soared
HEALTH Minister Simon Harris and his highest ranking officials appear to have taken too passive an oversight of the escalating costs of the National Children’s Hospital.
It is the only conclusion to come to as the “drip, drip” of information continues about how the cost of the hospital spiralled from €983m in April 2017 to €1.4bn last November.
The minister’s claim yesterday that he did not receive an update on costs for a year was meant as a defence, but in fact it is quite damning.
He was told in September 2017 about a €61m overrun. In August 2018, this shot up to €200m.
Why was he not interrogating his officials and the national paediatric development board, who were negotiating with the builders BAM on the final price?
He was questioned by Fianna Fáil TD Stephen Donnelly yesterday on why he did not make the potential final bill for the hospital part of negotiations for last October’s Budget.
He replied that he was unaware of the cost implications the hospital would have.
“I was actively seeking additional capital for the health department during budgetary negotiations,” he said.
It was November 9, on a day
Why was Harris not quizzing officials and the board?