Health Minister Challenges Contractor’s Claims on Hospital Progress

The Health Minister of Ireland, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, has publicly disputed claims made by the lead contractor, BAM, regarding the progress of the National Children’s Hospital project. According to Carroll MacNeill, BAM’s assertion that the project is “more than 99% complete” is “not credible.” She reported that only 15% of the more than 5,800 rooms have been completed to a satisfactory standard.

This statement comes in response to BAM’s announcement earlier in the day that suggested significant progress had been made on the project. Carroll MacNeill’s concerns center on the readiness of the facility, particularly as the original completion date was set for August 2022. Costs have escalated from an anticipated €650 million to an estimated €2.2 billion.

Discrepancies in Project Status

During her remarks on Wednesday, Carroll MacNeill highlighted discrepancies in BAM’s claims by referencing a recent update from the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB). She stated, “It is not credible for BAM to suggest that ‘large areas of the hospital have been completed since early July and offered to the NPHDB for early access.’” The minister explained that many of these rooms still have unresolved issues, and only around 800 rooms meet the necessary standards.

In her assessment, the hospital’s completion is critical, with the need for coherent access to entire zones rather than isolated rooms. She emphasized that BAM must take responsibility for completing the remaining 1% of the project and adhere to the contractual obligations outlined by the State.

BAM expressed disappointment over the minister’s comments, stating that it has faced numerous design alterations despite previous assurances from the government. The contractor noted that it had not received payment for many of these changes and has initiated dispute resolution mechanisms to seek appropriate compensation.

Concerns Over Workforce and Funding

Carroll MacNeill also raised concerns about the number of contractors on-site, indicating that current staffing levels are significantly lower than those at the end of 2024. She pointed out that there were previously 800 to 900 workers each week, compared to 400 to 500 currently. The minister remarked, “The single biggest concern I have at the moment is with BAM, is with the fact that there are half the number of contractors on site than there had been at the end of last year.”

Furthermore, she noted that BAM is drawing down less than a third of the available funding allocated for the project. The government has provisioned to pay BAM €10 million monthly, but recent figures indicate that the contractor has only accessed around €2.8 to €3 million of this amount.

BAM responded to these assertions by explaining that the nature of the commissioning phase requires fewer personnel on-site. The contractor maintained that the majority of the remaining work relates to design changes that were issued after a commitment was made by former Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to limit further alterations.

The hospital’s completion is not only critical for the immediate needs of pediatric care in Ireland but also involves a commissioning period of six to nine months before it can become operational. Carroll MacNeill reiterated the urgency of the situation, stating that any further delays would be “unacceptable.”

As the situation unfolds, both BAM and the Health Minister appear to be at an impasse regarding the project’s status and future direction. The minister has committed to monitoring the situation closely in the coming weeks, reinforcing the need for BAM to fulfill its contractual commitments effectively.