Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2022
266. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total cost of the development of the National Children’s Science Centre at Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 (details supplied). [61890/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra267. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether it is appropriate that the OPW will spend State resources to develop a new science centre at Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 which will then be handed over to the National Children’s Science Centre (details supplied). [61891/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra268. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW is engaging with commercial entities that may have an interest in the National Children’s Science Centre project (details supplied). [61892/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra269. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the credentials that the OPW believe that the National Children’s Science Centre has to run a science museum (details supplied). [61893/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra270. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the projections of the OPW to demonstrate that the National Children’s Science Centre will be financially viable (details supplied). [61894/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra271. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that the OPW was in arbitration with the National Children’s Science Centre (details supplied). [61896/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 266, 267, 268, 269, 270 and 271 together.
I wish to inform the Deputy of the following with regard to his questions relating to the proposed National Children's Science Centre (NCSC) at Earlsfort Terrace.
Updated costings for the construction of the National Children's Science Centre are not currently available and updated costings are awaited.
In line with the binding arbitration ruling the OPW will construct the museum but the fit out, installation of exhibits and operating cost of the museum are a matter for the National Children’s Science Centre and not the State.
The role of the OPW following binding arbitration is to honour its legal commitment following the arbitration judgement and construct a new Children’s Science Museum at the Earlsfort Terrace site.
The NCSC will be operated by a private company and not by the State.
A previous arbitration took place in 2013 and was settled by OPW and NCSC before final binding arbitration and the current arbitration took place in 2021 with a judgement issued in July 2022 on foot of the previous arbitration.
