Theft of 36 computers from National Children's Hospital is 'latest debacle in the shambles'

Áontú leader Peadar Tóibín asked: 'Will the State be at a loss for these thefts or will BAM cover the cost?' 

National Children's Hospital. Picture courtesy of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board.

The theft of 36 computers from the site of the National Children's Hospital has been slammed as "a debacle".

Children's Health Ireland told Áontú leader Peadar Tóibín in a parliamentary response that 36 PC units were stolen from the Early Access areas in the National Children's Hospital Ireland (NCHI) on July 30 and July 31.

CHI said the issue was identified by its ICT team and the matter has been reported to gardaí where an investigation is currently in progress.

"It should be noted that the NCHI site remains under the control of BAM until substantial completion. Consequently, CHI can only comment on incidents affecting property belonging to CHI or the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board," the response added.

A spokesperson for building contractor BAM said that as the matter is under investigation, it could not comment further, but Mr Tóibín said the long-delayed project is a "farce".

"This is the latest debacle in the shambles that is the National Children's Hospital. Not only is it running years over time and hundreds of millions over budget, now we have established there is a serious IT theft there, being investigated by gardaí. 

The National Children’s Hospital is descending into farce at this stage. 

"The Department of Health came before the Infrastructure Committee in Leinster House recently and would not confirm if the hospital would open in 2027, 2028 or 2029. If the hospital is unused there is a greater chance that there will be more items stolen.

"There are questions to be asked about oversight and security, during this construction phase with no end date. Will the State be at a loss for these thefts or will BAM cover the cost?"

• Paul Hosford, deputy political editor