Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said a commissioning phase lasting up to nine months would be required once the building was completed

The Irish Independent claims developer BAM has submitted further construction claims worth €853 million.

BAM, the main contractor for the National Children’s Hospital, is set to be awarded a new State contract for the construction of buildings at third-level institutions

The hospital was originally scheduled to be completed in 2020 with a budget of €650 million

The Minister for Health said he had asked Bam for more workers to be put on site to help finish the job.

The State’s representative has accused the lead contractor of under resourcing the project.

'This is all down to a flawed contract,' David Cullinane said.

A two-week extension of the closure of Abbey Road in Ferrybank has been granted by Waterford City and Council to BAM, which means the road closure will still be in place as the schools return from summer holidays

Taoiseach Simon Harris said developer BAM has a ‘track record in terms of the delivery of bridges’.

The hospital board will tell the Public Accounts Committee that ‘all possible contractual levers are being applied’