Reports Of Rift Between BAM & Children's Hospital Board

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 16:44

By Caoimhe Harney

The board claims external investigators were denied access to review the National Children's Hospital site for six weeks.

A further 'breakdown' in communications over the National Children's Hospital could lead to the current completion date 'slipping further'.

The Irish Times reports there's been another rift between the contractors 'BAM' and the development board, with the contractors reportedly refusing to meet with its members.

While it's also been reported a company hired to review the progress of works on the site were 'shut out' for six weeks.

A construction spokesperson for BAM, which is headquartered in Kill, told the paper it 'has fully engaged with the board, and will continue to do so'.

It comes as the Oireachtas Health Committee heard last week, that just 27 of 300 hospital rooms have been completed at the new hospital, on the grounds of St.James' Hospital in Dublin.

BAM's most recent progress report predicts the hospital will be complete by May 2024, 21 months behind schedule.

Sinn Fein's health spokesperson, David Cullinane says the working relationship between the board and BAM needs to be improved:

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says the delays are driving up costs and causing a rift between BAM, the board and the Government:

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