Explosive Cabinet memo lays blame for delays in delivery of new National Children's Hospital squarely with main contractor BAM - after an 'unprecedented' total of more than 200,000 defects were recorded at site

Published: 22:36, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 22:37, 23 July 2026 An explosive Cabinet memo has laid the blame for delays in the new National Children’s Hospital with main contractor BAM. More than 200,000 defects at the site are described in the confidential memo as ‘unprecedented’ and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) – which is in charge of the hugely expensive €2.24billion project – have noted that ‘much of BAM’s resources are occupied in addressing defects identified to its initial works’. This is said to be ‘repeatedly impacting upon the ability of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems to be completed and commissioned, often resulting in further reworks’. The memo – brought to Cabinet by Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill on Wednesday – informed ministers that the level of errors has led to ‘a requirement to inspect some rooms six times’. The memo does not state that all of the defects identified are attributed to BAM. In April, the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee was told that the number of defects was 106,500 but this has since ballooned to more than 200,000. The last completion date set by BAM was September 2026 but the memo notes that 1,494 (26%) of the rooms have not yet reached contract standard with 4,254 (74%) deemed complete. The Mail revealed yesterday that the completion date for the hospital is now ‘unknown’ as BAM cannot say when bathroom pods that failed fire safety compliance tests will be fixed. We can also now reveal that on July 2, the chair of the NPHDB, Fiona Ross, wrote to Ruud Joosten – the CEO of BAM’s parent company, Royal BAM Group – outlining the potential ‘significant impact’ the latest issue may have on completing the hospital and asked for BAM to outline ‘all actions it is taking to minimise’ any impact on completion of the hospital. However, the NPHDB has yet to receive an update from BAM. The size of the NPHDB’s inspection team has increased as a result of the number of defects and they are now inspecting 100% of rooms ‘due to consistent poor-quality performance by BAM’. The memo says the ‘main cause of delay to date’ on the project that was due to be completed by December 2022, and has had its completion date extended on 20 occasions, is attributed by officials to ‘BAM’s failure to adequately manage and resource the project and maintain effective quality assurance processes in the delivery of the works’. A new row between BAM and the NPHDB has further derailed the completion of the hospital. The Cabinet was told BAM cannot demonstrate fire safety compliance for 244 prefabricated bathroom pods that have already been installed. The new National Children's Hospital has had its completion date extended on 20 occasions ‘This strongly suggests a further update and delay to the substantial completion date will occur’ as a time for fixing the issue is ‘unknown’, the memo says. Officials do not believe there is a fire risk, describing the issue instead as one of contractual compliance. But the memo claims that BAM is ‘attempting to abdicate its responsibility’ and incorrectly claiming that the pods were not a contractor design responsibility and that it is a matter for the NPHBD. It says that ‘this is a contradiction to both the contract and the Government’s Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF)’. The memo outlines that despite ‘multiple requests’, BAM was unable to ‘demonstrate, or obtain evidence’ to confirm that the pod linings comply with agreed fire safety standards. Seven months after initially requesting certification, independent testing was conducted on sample material in the UK on July 10. On July 13, BAM ‘verbally informed’ the Employer’s Representative (ER), the independent third party responsible for administering the contract, that the initial outcome indicated ‘none of the samples had achieved the classification’ required in the contract. On July 15, the ER again asked BAM to provide a plan for remediation options and scenarios, describing it as ‘critical’ to understanding the impact on completion, but have yet to receive it. The memo describes the hospital as ‘one of the most protected buildings in Europe’ in relation to fire safety. It notes the hospital is fully sprinklered and fire-walled, while most new hospitals in Europe have one or the other, not both. The issue is described in the memo as not being a fire risk, but instead a failure to adhere to the terms of the contract. However, if a lower classification could be established for the pods it would require the acceptance of the fire officer or the issuing of a new fire certificate. Ministers were told that there are three remediation options being considered. These are a complete removal of the pods and rebuilding them traditionally with stud, plasterboard and vinyl walls, applying a fire-resistant coating to the inside surfaces and installing new walls and ceiling inside the existing pods. A spokeswoman for Minister Carroll MacNeill said: ‘The contractor, BAM, has a clear responsibility to ensure that the hospital is fully compliant with all building regulations and requirements of the contract. Patients, their families and staff have already waited too long for this hospital. But we will not take it at anything less than the standard it needs to be.’ Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill brought the memo on hospital costs to Cabinet A spokesman for BAM said: ‘The technical design, safety systems and associated project documentation have continued to evolve throughout the project. ‘The development of the design remains ongoing, with further directions continuing to be issued. This was identified as a key project risk as far back as 2019, when PwC highlighted ongoing design change as one of the most significant challenges to project delivery. ‘BAM continues to work closely with the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board and Children’s Health Ireland to deliver the hospital as quickly and safely as possible for the children of Ireland.’ Asked yesterday by RTÉ if BAM will be allowed to tender for the Elm Park National Maternity Hospital site, Minister Carroll MacNeill said: ‘I wouldn’t. I think, you know, anybody is allowed to tender, but you wouldn’t.’ When she was asked to explain her response further, the minister did not elaborate. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.