The cost of the new children's hospital could be up to 60 million euro higher, than previous estimates.

The Irish Times reports that a confidential assessment shows that the bill for building the new hospital could be significantly higher, because of inflation in the construction sector.

It's estimated to run at 7.5 per cent, rather than the 3 per cent previously projected.

The new National Children's Hospital will be built on the campus of St James' Hospital in Dublin.