Smyth offers to build children's hospital on Mater site

Solicitor and property developer Noel Smyth has told the Health Service Executive (HSE) that he is prepared to build the planned new national children's hospital at cost price on the site of the Mater hospital if necessary.

However, it is understood that at a meeting yesterday Mr Smyth proposed that there should be a further review of the location.

Informed sources said that Mr Smyth suggested that it did not seem a good idea to opt for a site that was opposed by two of the other main children's hospitals in Dublin.

It is understood that Mr Smyth proposed that all parties should be asked to agree in advance to be bound by the findings of a further review.

Sources said that the developer proposed that consultants McKinsey be brought back to examine locations for the new national children's hospital.

McKinsey last year recommended that the new hospital be co-located on the site of an adult facility.

However, it did not recommend a specific site.

The Mater site was chosen by a taskforce comprising HSE and Department of Health personnel.

However, Our Lady's hospital in Crumlin and Tallaght hospital have objected to the planned centralisation of paediatric services on the Mater site.

Informed sources said that Mr Smyth told the HSE yesterday that while he would prefer to see a further review, he was prepared to build the hospital at cost price at whatever location was chosen by the Government.

The Cabinet last summer told the HSE that it should explore any philanthropic offers made for the development of the new national children's hospital.

However, while there had been correspondence between the parties, a direct meeting with Mr Smyth on his offer took place only yesterday.