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RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
5 lessons from National Children's Hospital for future projects in Ireland
The National Children's Hospital (NCH) project stands as one of Ireland's most significant infrastructure undertakings - and one of its most instructive failures. Originally conceived as a state-of-the-art facility to consolidate paediatric services across Dublin, the project has instead become emblematic of systemic challenges plaguing Irish public infrastructure development. With costs spiralling beyond €2.2 billion and completion dates repeatedly deferred, the NCH offers invaluable lessons for future major infrastructure initiatives. This is even more relevant as the sector embarks on the development of the National Maternity Hospital and other critical public works. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, Dr Paul Davis from DCU assesses the latest delays to the Children's Hospital project These lessons extend far beyond mere cost overruns or construction delays. They illuminate fundamental weaknesses in how Ireland approaches large-scale public infrastructure, from initial conception through final delivery. Understanding these failures is crucial not only for avoiding repetition but for establishing a more robust framework for future development. Governance failures are the starting point for dysfunctional projects The most profound lesson from the NCH concerns governance architecture. Despite establishing multiple specialised committees and oversight bodies, the project suffered from fragmented decision-making structures that operated in relative isolation. This created what organisational theorists term "accountability gaps". These spaces where responsibility becomes diffused across multiple entities, resulted in effective accountability residing nowhere. The absence of a unified command structure proved particularly damaging. Various stakeholders - for example, the Health Service Executive, the Department of Health, construction contractors and clinical staff - operated with competing priorities and insufficient coordination mechanisms. This fragmentation manifested in delayed responses to emerging challenges and led to inconsistent strategic direction throughout the project lifecycle. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, health economist Dr Brian Turner on the ongoing delays to the NCH project I believe that future infrastructure projects require centralised governance frameworks with clearly delineated authority structures. This means establishing single points of accountability for major decisions while maintaining appropriate checks and balances. The governance model must also ensure that oversight bodies possess both the expertise and authority to challenge assumptions and redirect project trajectories when necessary. Traditional management tools are not good enough The NCH project initially relied on conventional project management tools. These tools, primarily Microsoft PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets, proved fundamentally inadequate for managing the complex, multi-billion-euro infrastructure development. The subsequent integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) demonstrated the transformative potential of advanced project management technologies, enabling more accurate cost estimation, enhanced design collaboration and sophisticated risk assessment capabilities. But technological adoption alone proves insufficient without corresponding organisational capacity. The effective utilisation of advanced project management systems requires comprehensive training programs, cultural adaptation within organisations and integration with existing operational frameworks. Future projects must prioritise technological infrastructure from initial planning phases rather than retrofitting solutions after problems emerge. From RTE Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, why is so expensive to construct medical facilities in Ireland? Real-time data analytics and integrated project delivery methods offer additional advantages, including enhanced stakeholder coordination, reduced operational redundancies, and streamlined workflow management. These technologies enable more responsive project management, allowing teams to identify and address challenges before they escalate into major disruptions. It became evident through multiple appearances at the Public Accounts Committee that this data was not begin collected nor used properly. Changing the script around procurement value and risk The NCH's initial procurement approach prioritised lowest-bid submissions. This reflected a narrow understanding of value that failed to account for broader project implications. This strategy systematically underestimated total project costs while overlooking significant risk factors that subsequently materialised as major challenges. Contemporary procurement theory emphasises value-based selection criteria that integrate price considerations with quality assessments, delivery capabilities, and risk management competencies. This approach recognises that apparent cost savings during procurement often translate into substantial expenses during implementation phases. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, is Ireland's public infrastructure lagging behind? Effective procurement strategies also foster collaborative relationships between public sector clients and private sector contractors. Rather than adversarial dynamics focused solely on cost minimisation, successful projects develop partnership frameworks that encourage innovation, shared risk management, and mutual investment in project success. This collaborative approach enables more creative problem-solving and adaptive responses to emerging challenges. Communicating what you're doing to the general public The NCH project's communication failures contributed significantly to eroding public confidence in Irish infrastructure development capabilities. Inconsistent messaging, delayed disclosure of cost overruns and limited stakeholder engagement created an information vacuum that fostered speculation and distrust. Transparent communication strategies serve multiple functions beyond mere public relations. They enable early identification of potential problems through stakeholder feedback. They create mechanisms for community input that can improve project outcomes. More importantly still, they establish accountability frameworks that encourage responsible decision-making throughout project lifecycles. From RTÉ Radio 1's Late Debate, when will patients eventually be treated in the new and overdue Children's Hospital? Future projects must establish regular communication protocols that provide consistent updates to stakeholders, including the general public. This includes proactive disclosure of challenges and setbacks rather than reactive responses to external pressure. The importance of comprehensive risk management I think that fundamentally, the NCH project failed to integrate comprehensive risk management into its planning and execution phases. Risk assessment was treated as a secondary consideration rather than a core component of project architecture. This reactive approach to risk management resulted in expensive crisis responses rather than proactive mitigation strategies. Effective risk management requires systematic identification of potential challenges during initial planning phases. It also requires the development of corresponding mitigation strategies, as well as continuous monitoring throughout project implementation. This includes financial risks, technical challenges, regulatory changes, and stakeholder dynamics that could affect project trajectories. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, Dr. Paul Davis examines the findings of an external audit into the infamous Leinster House bike shelter Risk management must also incorporate scenario planning. These scenarios should consider multiple potential outcomes and develop adaptive strategies for each possibility. This approach enables projects to maintain momentum despite encountering unforeseen challenges while minimising disruption to overall objectives. What all of this means for future infrastructure development These lessons have direct relevance for Ireland's upcoming infrastructure initiatives, particularly the National Maternity Hospital and other major public works. Implementing these insights requires systematic changes to how Ireland approaches large-scale infrastructure development, from initial conceptualisation through final delivery. Success requires integrating governance reform, technological advancement, procurement innovation, communication enhancement, and risk management improvement into comprehensive project frameworks. This holistic approach recognises that infrastructure development challenges are inherently systemic rather than isolated technical problems. Ireland's future infrastructure success depends on delivering major public works efficiently, transparently and in accordance with public expectations The NCH experience demonstrates that effective infrastructure development requires more than engineering expertise or construction capabilities. It demands sophisticated organisational frameworks. These framework must have the capability and capacity to coordinate complex stakeholder relationships, manage evolving requirements, and maintain public trust throughout extended implementation periods. Ireland's future infrastructure success depends on internalising these lessons and developing institutional capabilities that can deliver major public works efficiently, transparently, and in accordance with public expectations. The stakes are too high, and the public resources too valuable, to repeat the mistakes that have characterised the National Children's Hospital project.
Irish Independent
24-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
New Cork motorway: Taoiseach Micheál Martin confident BAM can deliver project on time and under budget
The latest contract on the table is for the M28 Ringaskiddy motorway, which was signed this week to the tune of €206 million and has a completion date of Summer 2028. The agreement came on the same date as the latest delay in the construction of the National Children's Hospital came to light, while closer to home the Dutch contractor has applied for a five-year extension on the Cork Events Centre, on which the sod was turned in 2016. Alasdair Henderson, Executive Director of BAM Ireland said at the M28 launch that the project 'reflects our continued commitment to building sustainable, future-ready infrastructure that serves communities and commerce alike.' That same day, BAM issued High Court proceedings against the Irish state over a €122m claim for extra costs resulting from delays in the National Children's Hospital. That comes after the revelation that the final completion date of the hospital is now expected to be September 30, with an estimated final cost of €2.24bn. The Taoiseach says, despite all the various delays, he is confident that BAM can deliver the M28 on time and under budget, but says that laws dictate the Government's decisions on contracts, regardless of public opinion or confidence. 'Under European Union procurement protocols, they're open, they're transparent, governments do have to adhere to them,' said the Taoiseach. 'BAM have come in on time on other road projects and on other civil engineering projects, and that is the position. The Taoiseach was speaking outside Dosco cleaning supplies, a Cork-based firm that has been in business since 1884. Since then, the Cork-based company have been manufacturing brushes and other cleaning items for its140 years-plus. 'The public may or may not (have confidence) but the bottom line is that we have to adhere to the rules of procurement. We can't deviate from them, otherwise we face other potential legal penalties. If one was to say that a government was to…debar a company, there would be legal consequences for that. 'To be fair, and to be balanced, there are issues with the Children's Hospital that have been ongoing and unacceptable, but equally the company has executed projects in other parts of the country.' Despite this, the Taoiseach says that the European Union needs to keep its procurement laws 'under review'. 'Where there's non-conformance…those contracting should have recourse to some actions in that respect.'
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Govt spending, immigration to dominate Aontú ard fheis
Government spending, immigration, housing and crime are likely to dominate proceedings at Aontú's ard fheis tomorrow. The party, which now holds two Dáil seats, one seat in the Seanad and eight more in local authorities, is expecting as many as 400 people to attend the event at the City North Hotel in party leader Peadar Tóibín's Meath West constituency. Among the most high-profile issues likely to be addressed at the event will be Government accountability and what Aontú says is the "glacial" pace of Government delivery on a number of key projects, including the National Children's Hospital. That issue is expected to be raised during a noon session on accountability and a 3pm session on health, while the international protection system for people seeking asylum in Ireland - which Deputy Tóibín described this week as "chaotic" - is due to be discussed at 9:30am. Further discussions are also scheduled on housing, crime, health and what the party has termed "common sense political reform" in the day-long event which ends at 7pm. Speaking in advance of the ard fheis, which is the party's fifth since it was formed in 2019, Mr Tóibín said: "Key public services and key infrastructure across the country is grinding to a halt and bloating in cost every day. The National Children's Hospital is a monument to Government incompetence. "But there are dozens of other wasteful projects ballooning out of all proportion. This has a serious cost to citizens. "The referendums [last year, which were rejected by voters] were a watershed in the ability of the Irish people to tolerate meaningless virtue signalling. We are the only party listening to the people. "We were the only party to stand up for the people on the referendums, the hate speech laws, carbon taxes, the right to life, the Government's chaotic immigration policy and gender ideology. We did so on the basis of common sense and compassion."
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
No assurances that latest delay to new children's hospital will be the last, chief executive warns
The Dail's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has heard that the completion of the project has been pushed back from September to June 2026 – the fifteenth delay in five years. Chief Executive of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB), David Gunning, said he could not at this time offer assurances that this will be the final delay. Under questioning from Aontú's Peadar Tóibín during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil, Mr Harris said: 'Of course I am responsible. I am responsible for bringing the decision to cabinet. I am going to be responsible for a world class facility.' He said 'nobody gets everything right in you sit over there and correct everybody's homework 'You rehearsed your lines that you must practice in front of the mirror in the morning. I am responsible, of course I am responsible. I am responsible for bringing the proposal to cabinet, I am responsible for recommending we proceed. And the easiest thing to do in politics if you don't want to get into any challenging situation is never make a decision. 'I am also going to be responsible for a world class facility, we are going to be responsible for transforming children's healthcare,' he said. Deputy Tóibín accused him of blame-shifting: 'Simon 'it wasn't me' Harris is what we have in front of us at the moment.' He added: 'Accountability and yourself are like oil and water.' But the Fine Gael leader fought back. He said that 'nobody gets everything right in politics' and added: 'it's easy to sit over there and just correct everybody's homework. It much harder to come to work and roll up your sleeves and actually deliver for the people.' Meanwhile, Mr Harris said that a new children's hospital planned for the North will cost more per square metre than the one due to open next year in Dublin. ADVERTISEMENT He was responding after Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty accused him of 'declaring open season on the public finances' when he proceeded with National Children's Hospital as Minister for Health. 'Tánaiste, you personally signed the contract for the National Children's Hospital without even a finalised plan in place. It was pay as you go, and that is why BAM has the state over the barrel for the past eight years.' He said it's no surprise that developers are 'going to squeeze as much profit out as they can' but that 'competent ministers are supposed to protect the public purse. So when you signed that contract you declared open season on the public finances,' he said. But Minister Harris replied that the Sinn Féin First Minister in the North, Michelle O'Neill, has announced that £671million will be spent on a state-of-the-art children's hospital at the Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital. 'The children's hospital that you are delivering in Northern Ireland that your First Minister, that your Vice President welcomed, is more expensive per square metre than the Children's Hospital we are delivering here in this jurisdiction,' he said.
Dublin Live
22-05-2025
- Health
- Dublin Live
Completion date of €2.24billion National Children's Hospital delayed once again
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The completion of the €2.24billion National Children's Hospital has been delayed once again - pushing the conclusion to at least September. It was hoped that construction would be completed by June 2025. But now that timeline has been pushed to the beginning of the school year. There was hope that the first patients could be treated in the hospital by Spring next year. Now, it is unlikely that the timeline will be met. Instead it's believed that patients will have to wait until June 2026 to be treated at the facility which has been under construction since 2016. Initially the hospital was expected to cost €987million and that bill has now inflated to over €2.2billion. The September date will mark the 15th time a completion date was issued by builder BAM. The Irish Times reports that the National Pediatric Hospital Development Board is not confident that this new date will be met. It will take nine months for the new hospital to be ready for operation once the building is handed over to CHI, which operates the current Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly children's hospitals. But migration to the new hospital cannot take place in Winter months due to the risks from respiratory illnesses. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
