merrion street

Minister of State for Communities and the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne TD, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the casting of the foundation stone for the new children's hospital by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, together with Minister for Health Simon Harris TD and members of the Youth Advisory Council.

The children, current and former users of the children’s hospital services, and the Taoiseach embedded their hands into a mould which will be cast in cement and incorporated into the new hospital.

This key moment follows the recent approval by Government of the investment required to enable the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board to award the construction contracts for the building of the main children’s hospital on the St James’s Hospital campus, and the two Paediatric Outpatients and Urgent Care Centres on the Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals campuses. The installation of the foundations is expected within a matter of weeks.

Minister Byrne, who is a local TD to the new children’s hospital, said "The casting of the foundation stone for the new National Children's Hospital at St James's by the Taoiseach today marks a new beginning for the treatment of sick children across the country.

"Today is a celebration for the many families who have been waiting for this moment to come for so long. The building of this world class hospital is no longer a dream but a reality."
ENDS