‘Blame game’ over €2.2bn children’s hospital has to stop, Sinn Féin says

The “blame game” over the new national children’s hospital has to stop, Sinn Féin’s health spokesperson has urged.

David Cullinane said the building contractor BAM has to be held to account and all parties involved in the project have to “step up to the plate” so the new hospital can be completed and the first patients treated.

BAM has informed the project’s board that the substantial completion date for the €2.2 billion hospital is now June 2025.

This is 31 months behind the current contractual completion date of November 2022 and four months later than a date provided to the Public Accounts Committee (Pac) last May.

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Mr Cullinane called on the Taoiseach and Minister for Health to do more than write letters, but to “pull up their sleeves” to ensure the speedy completion of the hospital.

“This is all down to a flawed contract,” he said.

“The [National Paediatric Hospital Development Board] is blaming the contractor. The…