Key projects may be axed as Children’s Hospital bill soars
VITAL Government projects could be axed as the cost of the new National Children’s Hospital in Dublin spirals.
Ministers have been ordered to draw up lists of schemes that could be cut or delayed in a bid to divert €100million to the medical facility. The expected bill for building the new hospital, located beside St James’s in South Dublin, now stands at €1.7billion.
This contrasts sharply with the €983million signed off in 2017 after original estimates were €650million.
Despite opposition party calls for the resignation of Simon Harris, Leo Varadkar has expressed confidence in his health minister, saying: “I have total confidence in him.”
The Taoiseach has left scope for Mr Harris to make a public apology when he addresses the Dail on the matter later this week. Health campaigners Vicky Phelan and Stephen Teap, who have criticised the health minister in relation to the Cervicalcheck scandal, have said further resignations would not remedy the situation.