Gentlemen, – Our previous health ministers, including Leo Varadkar, Simon Harris and Stephen Donnelly, have correctly attested since 2014 that the National Children’s Hospital, which required €2.7 billion for its construction, would be exceptional and unrivalled on a global scale. Currently, the hospital holds the title for being the most expensive healthcare facility worldwide. The total expenditure is expected to be nearly €3 billion once it is fully equipped, which far surpasses the €1.52 billion spent on the Nya Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm that was inaugurated in 2018.
Despite earnest attempts, the Australian government could only allocate a meagre €1.44 billion to the construction of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, which was finalised in 2017. Afterwards, the Queensland Children’s Hospital was concluded in 2014, costing €1.43 billion. In 2018, the new Western Australia Children’s Hospital, a 300-bed facility in Perth that now employs many Irish-trained practitioners, was accomplished with an expenditure of €740 million. This amount is nearly the same as the primary estimated cost for Dublin’s 380-bed equivalent.
We should look forward to the upcoming exceptional Dublin Metro and Shannon water supply pipeline; these outstanding projects will confirm that we remain unbeaten in the area of highly priced public undertakings. We have unexpectedly won the top spot in bike shed construction, amounting to an impressive €19,778 for each bicycle stand. Leo Varadkar assured us in 2016, using a unique phrase, that barring an asteroid striking the Earth, the children’s hospital would surely be realised by 2020. We are undoubtedly the best when it comes to costly projects, which less spendthrift countries are unlikely to eclipse for at least a decade. – Yours faithfully,
GERALD FLYNN,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.
Gentlemen, – The infamous bicycle shed of Leinster House and the overspending on the children’s hospital have been repeatedly discussed.
Yet there arises a secondary cost. This price is borne by underprivileged children, parents, and individuals unable to access essential services due to lack of funds that have been wasted by undiscovered, well-compensated civil officers. Their reflex is likely to retreat behind a now overused justification, “The system broke down,” as they have done in previous instances.
They may also choose to default to another commonly used defence by the powers that be: “We shall take this as a lesson and ensure it’s not repeated.” Would they be content with either of these excuses if they had to wait half a year for their salary? So, why should the ones anticipating vital support accept them?
VIVIAN GOOD,
Kilkenny.
Dear Editor, – As history tells us, the pyramids significantly exceeded their budget, causing significant worry to the ruling pharaoh. Similarly, the Parthenon severely drained the Athenian coffers. In more recent times, and closer to home, both the M50 and the Dart were initially criticised for being unnecessary and potential national financial disasters. I, however, look forward to when the impressive architecture and wonderful amenities of the national children’s hospital are universally admired and its exorbitant cost and delayed finishing date are barely memorable.
JOHN DILLON,
Regius Professor of Greek (Retired),
Trinity College Dublin,
Dublin 2.
Dear Editor, – The OPW – Ostentatious Public Wastage.
BERNARD BROWNE,
Old Ross,
Co Wexford.
Dear Editor, – Regarding “Leinster House plans to spend €190,000 on fitness instructor for politicians and staff over four years” (News, September 25th), why do the TDs, Senators and staff in Leinster House now need a fitness instructor? Shouldn’t they all be as spry as circus fleas from cycling to and from their new bike shed?
JIM LONG,
Bandon,
Co Cork.