Mixed reaction to children’s hospital decision

THE recent controversial decision by An Bord Pleanala
to refuse permission for the new multi-million euro children’s hospital on the
Mater Hospital site has been met with a mixed reception.

The planning board refused permission on the basis
that it would

“constitute overdevelopment

? of the site and would

“be contrary
to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area

?.

Local TD and Minister for Trade and Development, Joe
Costello, said he was deeply disappointed with the decision which will mean a
delay, for the long awaited project.

“MEP Emer Costello and I made an oral submission to
the An Bord Pleanála hearing,

? he said.

“While broadly supporting the location of the National
Paediatric Hospital on the Mater Hospital site, we expressed a number of
concerns. In particular, there was inadequate consultation with local
residents, the plans contravened the statutory Phibsborough Local Area Plan and
a building of such height and mass would have a major impact on the skyline of
the city.

“The architects should have gone back to the drawing
board before presenting such an intrusive, high-rise development.

“With the funding in place, the Government must now
make an early decision to revisit the plans and see if a revised set of
proposals can be developed in the short term so that the planned completion
time of 2016 can be achieved.

?

Fianna Fáil health spokesperson Billy Kelleher said it
was

“critically important

? that the new hospital proceeded at the Mater site
and called for every option to be examined to ensure that this happens.

“I cannot support this decision by An Bord Pleanála,

?
he stated.

“If a legal route can be found to appeal this decision
then it must be appealed. If not, emergency legislation should be looked at.

“I do not believe people will accept that children will
have to wait longer for lifesaving care because building the hospital may
impede on the character of the Dublin skyline.

The head of the Children in Hospital Ireland group,
Mary O’Connor, described the planning refusal as a loss for sick children and
their families.

“We are shocked that the development of the hospital
will not now go ahead as planned,

? she said.

“The decision could mean that a new children’s
hospital will not be available for sick children and their families for many
years to come.

?

She added:

“There has been universal agreement on the
need for a new hospital, particularly among families whose children require
specialised and continuing hospital care. For these families this decision will
be a great disappointment.

?

However, the New Children’s Hospital Alliance said it
felt vindicated in its opposition to the plans for the site but expressed
disappointment that this latest development will further delay the delivery of
a world-class facility for children.

According to retired children’s cancer specialist Dr
Fin Breathnach, the decision will ultimately be in the best interest of
children throughout the country.

“I never felt that the chosen site was ever going to
accommodate the needs of sick children and health professionals,

? he told
Northside People.

“The 16-storey high rise design indicated a footprint
that was far too small and wouldn’t allow for expansion, which is a major flaw.

“This hospital will be expected to last a long time
and to expand with the growing population but this plan wouldn’t have ticked
those boxes.

“Also, most people would accept that the Mater
Hospital is not accessible, especially for people coming from the country who
would be unfamiliar with driving in Dublin city centre. Many of us forget how
intimidating that can be.

?

Dr Breathnach welcomed the Government’s commitment to
deliver the children’s hospital in its lifetime but warned that the
consultation phase is the biggest factor that will determine the success and
viability of any new plan.

“It was reported that the consultation phase on the
plan refused was completely flawed,

? he stated.

“We believe that it will take 12 months to complete
adequate consultation with the necessary bodies, health professionals, parents
and staff and then we will be able to pin down the right location and design
for a hospital that children all over the country deserve.

?