Harney promises quick decision on children’s hospital

The Tánaiste and Minister for Health today said she expects to make a decision on the future of Crumlin Children's hospital within the next month.

Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children deals with around 120,000 patients every year and is in desperate need of a revamp.

It's expected to be re-located to a completely new site.

Speaking at the unveiling of the hospital’s €14m outpatient department, Mary Harney said the current facility is out of date: “We do need a more appropriate modern facility for sick children in the year 2005 than the facility that's here I think.”

She added that the only decision to be made was whether the hospital would remain on its current site or elsewhere.

“I did make a commitment that a decision would be made very soon, hopefully in the next month or so.”

The new outpatient department was funded mainly through donations and fundraising.