According to the programme for Government, acquisition of a site for the new children's hospital was estimated to be between €500 million and €750 million. The cost of the chosen site, which in the opinion of many people is unsuitable, excluding fit-out, was €1 billion. Is the Tánaiste aware that the Jack & Jill Children's Foundation was locked out of the hearings of the Joint Committee on Health in regard to the new hospital?

A question, please Deputy.

What is the Tánaiste's view on the enormous cost of the site and its suitability as a location for this hospital and is she aware that the Jack & Jill Children's Foundation, which is doing tremendous work on behalf of sick children, was not invited to attend the hearings of the Joint Committee on Health?

I welcome that a site has been identified and that work is progressing, such that in the next few years we will have a national children's hospital available for the children of the country.