Department expects tender responses 'imminently' for new national maternity hospital

A model of the new National Maternity Hospital on the St Vincent's campus in 2017. A department spokeswoman said on Monday enabling works are now 'well underway' at the Elm Park campus to clear space for the new hospital. File photo: Gareth Chaney Collins

The Department of Health has defended the pace of building a new national maternity hospital, saying tender responses are expected “imminently” from construction companies.

It follows former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Saturday describing the build as “crawling along”.