Children’s hospital ‘not contingent’ on donations

THE development of the new National Children’s Hospital, due to open in 2016, will not be contingent on charitable donations, Health Minister Dr James Reilly said yesterday.

An Bord Pleanála is expected to announce its decision on an application to build the hospital on the Mater site in Dublin in January.

Dr Reilly said enabling works would take place next year, with building commencing in 2013. He said it would be unwise to give an estimate of the cost as the tendering process had not been completed.