Children's hospital will be priority, says Reilly

The Government regarded the building of a new children’s hospital as a key priority and no effort would be spared in expediting its completion, Minister for Health James Reilly said.

“We must now get on and build this hospital to the highest quality with best value for money as quickly as possible to ensure children receive the best possible treatment in the best possible environment,” he added.

Dr Reilly said that in identifying the new site at St James’s Hospital, the Government had carefully considered the report of the Dolphin group along with detailed supplementary information on cost, time and planning issues.

Fianna Fáil health spokesman Billy Kelleher said the focus now must be on ensuring there was strong co-operation between all of those involved, most particularly the amalgamating hospitals at Temple Street, Tallaght and Crumlin, in the further development of paediatric services.

Sinn Féin health spokesman Caoimhghin Ó Caolain said that while he welcomed the choosing of a site, the process had gone on far too long.

He added: “Every effort should be made to expedite the delivery of this vital facility as near to the target date of 2016 as possible, despite the disappointing view from Dr Reilly that the target cannot now be reached.”