Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2026
122. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason that after two years of a temporary closure that there is still no re-opening date for the Natural History Museum; the expected costs of the ongoing works; the spend to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44318/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conservation and refurbishment of the National Museum of Ireland- Natural History Museum is a flags in the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport’s capital investment programme under the National Development Plan, which will see a number of the National Cultural Institutions (NCIs) restored, renewed and future-proofed for generations to come in partnership with the Office of Public Works.
The redevelopment of a city-centre heritage property such as the Natural History Museum with a precious and delicate collection is, by its very nature, a challenging and difficult undertaking. The project scope encompasses the entire four storey building and aims to address its structural, environmental and accessibility issues, as well as providing a compelling and thought-provoking visitor experience.
The redevelopment of the Museum is managed in line with the provisions of the Infrastructure Guidelines and Capital Works Framework Agreement, as well as the Governance and Operational Arrangements agreed between the Department, the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) and the Office of Public Works (OPW) for the NCI capital investment programme.
The development of a complex project such as this is based on a thorough business case process, a detailed design and the input of specialist expertise. In 2024, following earlier approval of Preliminary Business Case, Architects Fitzgerald Kavanagh & Partners were appointed to lead the integrated design team and the refurbishment project entered the initial project design phase. An extensive and comprehensive decant of the collection was required to facilitate investigative works needed to inform the design development and help estimate the outline programme of works, duration and cost of the project. To enable the full decant, the Museum closed its doors in September 2024. However, throughout the closure some of the most popular exhibits from the natural history collection, as well as some specimens that haven’t been on display for many years will be accessible to the public at the Dead Zoo Lab which opened last August at NMI Collins Barracks site.
In line with the Infrastructure Guidelines, development of the project is subject to continuous evaluation and planning. Estimated costs and timelines continue to be refined as the project progresses towards the Final Business Case and appointment of contractors. The outcome of the investigative works carried out during the current design phase and the completion of the design will help estimate the costs and duration of the project. However, the market response to any tenders will ultimately inform the project budget and costs will be re-examined before decision is made to award contract(s). To date a total of €3,728,721 in funding has been provided to progress the design phase of the project.
