Failed co-location hospital project spent €1.5m on consultants

THE Department of Health spent nearly €1.5 million on advice from outside consultancy groups over its failed co-location project, which has since been shelved.

A formal Dáil response by Health Minister James Reilly to a parliamentary question by Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald confirmed the expense was accrued during lengthy discussions on co-location the issue.

Dr Reilly said the total cost for professional advice on the project is €1.46m.