The Government of Ireland has sanctioned an increased budget for the New Children’s Hospital (NCH) project, with the total approved funds now reaching €2.24bn ($2.39bn).  

The previous approved budget was €1.73bn.  

The newly updated budget now includes provisions for the design, construction, and equipping costs of €1.88bn, which also includes the Satellite Centres at Tallaght and Connolly. 

A total of €360m will be used for integrating and transitioning services to the NCH, including the implementation of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system and commissioning of ICT. 

The new hospital is expected to be the country’s first fully digital public hospital, featuring 300 individual inpatient rooms along with ensuite facilities and space for a parent or guardian.  

It will also significantly increase the capacity for critical care and mental health services, with 60 critical care beds, 93-day beds, and 20 dedicated mental health beds. 

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The hospital’s theatre capacity will see a notable expansion, with 22 theatres and procedure rooms planned.  

Additionally, the NCH building will house five MRIs and 110 outpatient rooms.  

The main contractor of the NCH project has outlined a schedule to complete the construction and fit-out related work by the fourth quarter of the current year. 

Meanwhile, the hospital is expected to open in mid-2025 after an operational commissioning phase of at least six months for Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) is complete.  

The Cabinet approval further extends to an increase in the non-recurrent funding of the Children’s Hospital Programme, which encompasses the commissioning of two new urgent care facilities, the integration of three hospitals and workforces, and the new EHR system. 

According to the Irish government, the revised budget and programme for NCH has been the result of extensive work by National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, CHI, the Health Service Executive as well as other Department of Health officials. 

Ireland Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said: “Today’s approval by Cabinet to increase capital and current budget sanctions for NCH project will assist in achieving the opening of what will be a world-class hospital. 

“We already have two satellite centres open and delivering new model of care. The construction of main hospital is also well advanced at over 90% completion.” 

The new hospital is expected to be Ireland’s first fully digital public hospital, featuring 300 individual inpatient rooms along with ensuite facilities.