As confirmed water, air and fire defects mount, we asked the board in charge of the National Children’s Hospital for an opening date. They said BAM hadn’t told them 2028… Which isn’t what BAM told us
The National Children’s Hospital in Dublin faces further delays as inspections uncover continuing construction defects, including water leaks, ventilation problems and fire door compliance issues. The development board says the hospital cannot be handed over until it meets required quality and safety standards, while BAM has not ruled out an opening as late as 2028.
The project’s cost stands at €2.2 billion and is rising; its opening date has already changed 20 times. Of 244 bathroom pods, 126 needed floor repairs to ensure water drained properly, completed in October 2025. The board says more than 200,000 defects have been remedied, with about 2,000 still outstanding; it also reports that fire safety data remains incomplete.
In short
- Defects could push the hospital opening back further.
- The project costs €2.2 billion and has changed dates 20 times.
- Around 2,000 defects remain, according to the development board.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The board’s insistence on resolving defects before handover is justified by the hospital’s duty to protect children, families and staff. Water drainage, ventilation and fire-door compliance are safety and operational requirements, and opening before they are properly verified could create serious risks and costly disruption.
The case against
After repeated delays, a rising €2.2 billion cost and an opening date that has shifted 20 times, the public has strong grounds to question whether oversight and accountability have been adequate. If BAM has indicated that opening could slip to 2028 while the board has not acknowledged that possibility, the gap raises concerns about clear reporting and whether the project is being managed to a credible timetable.
Explained simply
The National Children’s Hospital is a major public project being built in Dublin to provide specialist care for children. It is overseen by a development board, while BAM, a construction company, is responsible for building the hospital.
The hospital must meet quality and safety requirements before it can be handed over and begin treating patients. Its construction has faced repeated delays and rising costs, and inspections have identified problems involving water drainage, ventilation and fire safety.
The project matters because families and staff are waiting for the hospital’s services, while the public is funding a development that has become much more expensive than planned. The remaining work and safety checks are central to when the building can be handed over.
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