Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
507. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his plans to deliver the National Children’s Science Centre, Earlsfort Terrace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39912/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra508. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation when he and the Minister for the OPW most recently discussed the National Children’s Science Centre, Earlsfort Terrace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39913/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra509. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will commit to completing the building of the National Children’s Science Centre, Earlsfort Terrace as per the Departments legal obligation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39914/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra510. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will commit to funding the development of the National Children’s Science Centre, Earlsfort Terrace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39915/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 507 to 510, inclusive, together.
As part of the arbitration between Irish Children's Museum Limited (ICML) and the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (Office of Public Works), a Final Award was issued to both parties in mid-December 2025.
Among the terms of the Final Award, it is set out that the Office of Public Works shall carry out and complete all of the Landlord’s (OPW) Works consistent with the Irish Children's Museum Limited's objectives of operating a national interactive science museum for children in accordance with a prior Agreement for Lease between ICML and the Office of Public Works. Such works shall be carried out and completed on or before the end of December 2029, where such period includes the time needed for any tender processes and agreements with contractors and subcontractors. Planning permission for the development has been obtained and the next steps include the preparation of the tender documentation.
The OPW's capital envelope under the National Development Plan(NDP) is fully committed across its core statutory programme areas — principally flood risk management, the provision and maintenance of Government office accommodation, and the protection and conservation of the State's built heritage. The project has no identified funding stream in the current NDP, and to date no Government Department has come forward as a sponsoring body to bring a business case through the Infrastructure Guidelines appraisal process in the normal way.
The Office of Public Works is the Contracting Authority for this project, with an Approving Authority, Sponsoring Agency and funding yet to be identified.
