Varadkar wants 'no more delays' in Children's Hospital

on 08/10/2012 10:57:12

The Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has said he hopes a decision will be made on the site for the new Children's Hospital in the coming weeks.

It comes after reports at the weekend that Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Dublin, will be recommended by the Health Minister James Reilly and supported by the Dolphin Report, which examined a list of potential sites.

The long-awaited hospital was originally meant to be built at the Mater Hospital in Dublin city centre, but planning permission was rejected.

Connolly Hospital is located in Minister Varadkar's own constituency, but he said he will support whatever site is finally chosen.

In another twist, consultants working in Dublin's three exisiting childrens hospitals have warned against the Blanchardstown site, which is away from adult and maternity facilities.

Mr Varadkar said: "The hospital for children should have been built a long time ago, and I just hope that the decision is made sooner rather than later and there are no more delays.

"The most important thing for me is that we have the best possible childrens' hospital that we can have that is accessible to all the children of Ireland. I will give my views on that in Cabinet and I will support whatever decision is made."