Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, has today (Thursday) welcomed the commencement of the Second Stage debate on the Children’s Health Bill 2018 in Dail Eireann. The Bill establishes a new legal entity, Children’s Health Ireland, to integrate the three existing children’s hospitals under one single governance and management structure in advance of the transition to the new hospital.
“The new Children’s Hospital is now well under construction along with the Paediatric Outpatient and Urgent Care Centres at Connolly and Tallaght hospitals. I am very pleased the Government is funding this vital, major capital project to meet the well-accepted need and long-held ambition to significantly enhance paediatric services for all the children of Ireland.
“However, this project is about more than bricks and mortar, it is also about bringing together the three existing children’s hospital and it provides a unique opportunity to introduce a new model of care for all paediatric services. Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital and Tallaght Hospital all have a proud tradition of caring for our children and families over many years, and all three fully support the development of the new national children’s hospital.
“The legislation to establish a new entity, Children’s Health Ireland, to integrate the three hospitals under one under one single governance and management structure in advance of the transition to the new hospital has already passed through Seanad Eireann last week. I am delighted it is now commencing Second Stage in the Dail today as we take another step forward on a world class facility to care for children and young people from all over Ireland for years to come.”