Tens of millions spent on site works for new National Maternity Hospital

A model of the new National Maternity Hospital:  Comptroller and Auditor General to examine decision to carry out site preparatory works. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins

A decision to spend tens of million of euros of taxpayers' money on “site preparation” works for the new National Maternity Hospital has been referred to the State’s auditor for examination.

The Comptroller and Auditor General has been asked to examine the decision of previous health minister Simon Harris to commence preparatory works, in the form of a car park and a pharmacy, on the St Vincent’s Hospital site.