Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 November 2005
137 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for a science discovery centre in Carlow town; the funding that has been provided for the proposed centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32242/05]
View answerThe programme for Government includes a commitment to support the development of interactive science centres aimed at enhancing knowledge and interest in science. This commitment was underpinned by the report of the task force on the physical sciences and a comprehensive Forfás report on the subject which recommended the establishment of a science centre comprised of one major facility in Dublin and two smaller centres in the regions. Since then my Department has supported the establishment of Exploration Station, an interactive learning centre for children and young adults and the general public, to be designed and run by the Irish Children's Museum Limited, a not-for-profit company with experience in developing such a world-class interactive facility. It is hoped, subject to planning and related considerations, that Exploration Station will open its doors to the public in 2007 at a site in Westgate, Kilmainham, adjoining the Royal Hospital. No funding has been made available to Exploration Station.
I have no plans for a science centre in Carlow town at present. However, once Exploration Station is up and running, my intention is to consider extending the initiative to regional centres based on the Dublin model. I am aware that Carlow County Council, in conjunction with Carlow Institute of Technology, made a proposal to establish a science centre in 2001. This matter will be revisited in future by my Department, taking into account costs, feasibility, regional spread and revised proposals.
