Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 198: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the structural repair needs to be undertaken at the Natural History Museum; the plans to redevelop the museum during this period; when the Natural History Museum will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32424/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public Works is awaiting the final report into the collapse of a staircase in the Museum of Natural History. This report will inform the scope of works to be undertaken. The Government has allocated €15 million in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 for the refurbishment of the Natural History Museum. This is a complex conservation project in a protected structure and will involve a major refurbishment of the building and the provision of access for disabled persons. In parallel to the refurbishment of the building, the museum will undertake a detailed programme of conservation and restoration works to the exhibits and artifacts in the Museum. It is the view of the National Museum, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and the Office of Public Works, that the most practical and effective approach is that the Museum remain closed until the refurbishment and conservation works are complete. It is estimated that the refurbishment and conservation process will take 24 months.