More delays to National Children’s Hospital a ‘slow-moving car crash’ – TD

The government’s handling of the National Children’s Hospital is a “slow-moving car crash”, as further delays are expected, Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty has said.

In response, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said Mr Doherty was being used as “a pawn” by the contractor to extract more public money for the scheme.

The original substantial completion date was for October 29 this year, but developer BAM has “indicated a further delay” to this date, TDs are to be told.

The total spent on the hospital is €2.2 billion, after the government approved more than €500 million in additional spending in February.

The amount includes millions of euros for an expected pay-out to the contractor over ongoing disputes, as well as other contingency funding.

During Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil on Thursday, Mr Doherty said: “Many years ago, when Leo Varadkar was actually minister for health, he said short of an asteroid hitting the planet, the National Children’s Hospital would be…