Overview

• Jennifer Carroll MacNeill called BAM’s progress claims not credible, citing National Paediatric Hospital Development Board data that only about 800 of more than 5,000 rooms are satisfactory and that offered areas are scattered rather than in usable zones.
• The minister said weekly contractor numbers have fallen to roughly 400–500 from 800–900 late last year and that BAM is drawing down only €2.8–3 million of a €10 million monthly provision.
• BAM countered that the build is more than 99% complete, said fewer personnel are typical at the specialist commissioning stage, and stated that large areas have been offered for early access since early July.
• The company said there have been 84 new or revised design changes since October, that most remaining work relates to those changes without payment, and that it has initiated the contract dispute mechanism.
• The project targets an end‑September handover followed by a six to nine month commissioning phase with first patients expected next June, but the minister now questions whether those milestones will be met.