The second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford is under review because of the rising cost of the National Children’s Hospital.

The government insists no capital projects will be cancelled – but says there will be delays.

Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane pressed health officials in the public accounts committee this morning.

He asked HSE Head of Estates Jim Curran “if it was possible that there will be some capital projects that may not go ahead as quickly as possible because of the overrun?”

Mr Curran stated “yes, because we have to find, in 2019, €50 million additional for the children’s hospital”.

He confirmed to Deputy Cullinane that there is going to be an impact on some capital projects but they haven’t decided which projects yet.

Deputy Cullinane asked “is that money [for the second cath lab] guaranteed, is that one of the projects that is signed off on or is it one of the projects that’s under consideration?”

Mr Curran replied saying “it’s one of the projects under consideration”.

Deputy Cullinane also raised the matter in the Dail this afternoon:

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