Only one-in five want Mater for hospital

More than half of those surveyed in our latest reader's poll believe the national children's hospital should be built on a greenfield stand-alone site.

Less than one-in five of those polled believe the hospital, plans for which have been dogged by controversy and delays, should still be built on the Mater site.

The children's hospital project was recently delivered a massive blow when An Bord Pleanala rejected the planning application for the Mater project.

The Government subsequently set up a a review group which will look at the options for a new children's hospital, in the light of the Bord Pleanala decision. The group is due to report in May.

We asked readers where the children's hospital should now be built, following the latest setback to the Mater project.

Only 18% said it should still be built at the Mater, while 28% said it should be built adjacent to another hospital.

Howwever, 54% of respondents to the poll said the hospital should be built on a greenfield stand-alone site.

Health Minister James Reilly today announced the make-up of the children's hospital review group. The membership includes a senior planner and two paediatricians. It is chaired by former HSE CEO Frank Dolphin.

View the poll results and comments, and results of previous polls here

[Posted: Fri 16/03/2012]