Children's Hospital fiasco continues - BAM demand additional €853 million
"Why are we being kept in the dark ? Children's Hospital fiasco continues - BAM demand additional €853 million
Date: 18 February 2025
The National Children's Hospital, already the most expensive hospital in the world, is once again at risk of breaking its astronomical budget, with builders BAM now demanding an additional €853 million in construction costs. This latest revelation raises serious concerns about the project’s financial management, adding further strain to the already staggering €2.24 billion price tag.
Independent Ireland Leader Michael Collins TD said "We have consistently called for accountability on this project, warning that cost overruns, delays, and mismanagement would lead to yet another financial black hole. The latest revelations prove that concerns were well-founded. Shockingly, this massive claim was not even included in the official briefing document for the new Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The document states the hospital will cost €2.24 billion, yet it makes no mention of the potential additional €853 million in claims—figures that the Department of Health has now confirmed. This raises a fundamental question: why are the public, opposition parties and even the new Minister being kept in the dark about the real costs involved in completing this project?"
Mounting costs and delays
BAM has submitted 2,789 claims, valuing them at €853 million. However, independent valuations suggest only €48 million may be valid. This massive discrepancy highlights the potential for exaggerated claims and legal wrangling that could further delay the project.
The hospital, originally due to be completed in 2022, is now 95% complete but will not open until 2026 due to "clinical risks" associated with winter migration.
The project is now in a “snagging” phase across 5,500 rooms, with final work still ongoing, despite repeated assurances that deadlines were being met.
A legacy of waste and mismanagement
The spiralling costs of the National Children's Hospital have become a national scandal, yet taxpayers continue to foot the bill for delays and disputed claims. The government insists that court proceedings will determine whether these claims hold merit, but this means more delays, more uncertainty, and more legal costs at the taxpayers’ expense.
"This is not just about construction costs—this is about a government that has lost control of public finances. At a time when Irish families are struggling to make ends meet, the fact that nearly €1 billion in extra demands for the hospital are now emerging is beyond unacceptable." Collins concluded
Independent Ireland demands answers
Full transparency – The government must immediately publish all financial risks associated with the project and outline the real likelihood of further cost overruns.
Accountability for BAM claims – The State must rigorously challenge any attempt to inflate costs beyond what is fair and justified.
A full review of public works contracts – If the current contract allows for endless cost claims, then we need legislative reform to protect taxpayers from being held to ransom.
Real penalties for mismanagement – Those overseeing this project should be held accountable for any failures in financial oversight.
Independent Ireland has warned for years that mismanagement of major public projects would lead to unsustainable costs. The government can no longer ignore reality.
