National Children's Hospital
- Department / body
- Department of Health
- Delivery
- National Paediatric Hospital Development Board
- Status
- Delayed
- Location
- Dublin
In March 2026 an Oireachtas committee heard that opening could be delayed to autumn 2027. Source: RTÉ News, 25 Mar 2026 (opens in a new tab)
A new national paediatric hospital at St James's campus, Dublin 8. Its published cost has been revised several times since the Government investment decision in 2017.
The numbers
Documented fact2017 Government decision → latest total (Feb 2025)
- Earlier figure
- €983m
- Apr 2017
- Latest figure
- €2.24bn
- 19 Feb 2025
- Documented variance
- +€1.26bn / +128%
- Not like-for-like
The 2017 figure covered construction; the latest figure also includes equipping, ICT and commissioning. Part of the difference is scope, not price.
Calculation
Variance = €2.24bn − €983m = €1.26bn
Percentage = €1.26bn ÷ €983m × 100 = 128%
Earlier: Construction. Latest: Total project, including commissioning.
Published cost figures, in order
| Date | Figure | Amount | Scope / basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2017 | Government investment decision | €983m | Construction | Source: TheJournal.ie, Apr 2019 (opens in a new tab); The Irish Times, Apr 2019 (opens in a new tab) |
| Dec 2018 | Revised construction estimate | €1.43bn | Construction | Source: TheJournal.ie, Apr 2019 (opens in a new tab); The Irish Times, Apr 2019 (opens in a new tab) |
| Dec 2018 | Revised total including equipping and ICT | €1.73bn | Construction + equipping + ICT | Source: The Irish Times, Apr 2019 (opens in a new tab) |
| 19 Feb 2025 | Latest total stated by the Minister for Health | €2.24bn | Total project, including commissioning | Source: RTÉ News, 19 Feb 2025 (opens in a new tab); The Irish Times, 13 Feb 2024 (opens in a new tab) |
Other comparisons
Construction only: 2017 decision → Dec 2018 revision
- Earlier figure
- €983m
- Apr 2017
- Latest figure
- €1.43bn
- Dec 2018
- Documented variance
- +€450m / +46%
- Like-for-like
What the sources say
Documented fact- The contractor, BAM, had lodged claims of €853m, of which €48m had been approved, according to evidence given to the Public Accounts Committee in May 2025. These claims are not included in the €2.24bn figure. Source: RTÉ News, 22 May 2025 (opens in a new tab)
- Reason given by sourceThe PwC review (2019) found the project "was driven by an imperative for timely completion, within a cost envelope that was never adequate to deliver the envisaged outcome and from a design that was continually evolving." Source: TheJournal.ie, Apr 2019 (opens in a new tab)
Key dates
- Government investment decision
- Apr 2017
- Expected opening (Feb 2025)
- 2026
- Possible opening (Mar 2026)
- Autumn 2027
Sources
Figures last checked against these sources on 1 Oct 2026. Where a news report is linked, it is reporting an official statement or document.
- PwC review finds "series of weaknesses" in planning and execution of National Children's HospitalTheJournal.ie (reporting the PwC review published by the Department of Health) · Apr 2019 · News report of official figures
- Children's hospital report says final cost will exceed €1.73bnThe Irish Times · Apr 2019 · News report of official figures
- NCH to cost roughly €2.24bn, will open in 2026 — ministerRTÉ News · 19 Feb 2025 · News report of official figures
- National Children's Hospital cost has risen to more than €2.2bn, Donnelly confirmsThe Irish Times · 13 Feb 2024 · News report of official figures
- NCH opening could be delayed to autumn 2027, committee hearsRTÉ News · 25 Mar 2026 · News report of official figures
- June 2026 before new children's hospital treats patients (Public Accounts Committee)RTÉ News · 22 May 2025 · News report of official figures
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