The true cost of the National Children's Hospital may not be known for years.
The National Pediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has told the Oireachtas Committee on Health the project is running 17 months behind schedule and will not open to the public until late 2024.
There are five months to go before the construction stage of the NCH is expected to be completed, and almost 80% of the budget has now been spent.
An artist's illustration of the National Children's Hospital at the St James's site in Dublin. Picture by: BAM ConstructionChief officer at the NPHDB, David Gunning, could not tell the Oireachtas committee how much the overspend will come to.
"I wouldn't like to qualify it with words that are ill-defined", he said.
There is going to be additional cost, and that will land when it lands."
'80% through construction'
The COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit and the invasion of Ukraine were all given as reasons behind the 17-month delay in the project.
HSE Assistant-Secretary of Health Infrastructure, Derek Tierney, said other external factors are impacting the timeline and the bottom line.
"We are seeing impact on supply chains and trade chains through increased energy costs and through increased disruption,” he said
"I would say we're just under 80% through the construction programme, and those risks are mitigating."
Over 900 claims have been submitted by the main contractor constructing the new hospital.
This could add another €500 million to the final cost.
Additional reporting: Jack Quann
