Dublin's children's hospital opening delayed to June 2026

A new national children’s hospital in Dublin is preparing to open, offering significant upgrades despite delays and rising costs. Construction began in 2015, and the hospital is now expected to be ready by June 2025, six years later than planned and at nearly four times the original budget of €650 million. Julia Lewis, the transformation director with Children’s Health Ireland, highlighted that the hospital will feature a helipad, allowing emergency air transfers to land directly at the facility. This is a major improvement over current arrangements that require ambulances for transport from other locations. The hospital will cover 160,000 square meters, similar in size to a large shopping center. It will have 380 inpatient rooms and 22 operating theatres, designed with future growth in mind. The facility aims to provide a friendly environment for children, with digital services like online food ordering through tablets. Medical staff are excited about the new hospital's modern infrastructure. Current facilities are often cramped and lack adequate space for families. The new design minimizes large waiting areas and improves patient flow. Conversations with young patients helped inform many design choices, ensuring the hospital meets their needs. The hospital will also have adequate visitor parking and accommodations nearby for families traveling from outside Dublin. While there was doubt about meeting the opening date, officials express confidence in their timeline, saying all plans have been meticulously organized.