Michael McGrath refuses to rule out that children's hospital could cost over  €2bn

Costs have already escalated to €1.4bn and minister says final cost is some distance away 

Construction of the new National Children’s Hospital (Niall Carson/PA)

Michael McGrath has refused to rule out that mounting costs to build the National Children’s Hospital could be in excess of €2 billion.

The Minister for Public Expenditure said the final cost of the project is some distance away.