Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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301. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline his discussions to date to secure the continued operation of the Science Gallery at Trinity College, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4140/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since it opened in 2008, the Science Gallery has been a popular visitor attraction and strengthened the appreciation of science especially among young people. My Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media remain in contact with the Provost and management at Trinity College Dublin since TCD’s initial announcement regarding the Science Gallery.

TCD has made clear that the current model for the Science Gallery is financially unsustainable due to changes in the philanthropic funding environment, which if left unaddressed, would have left the College exposed to significant ongoing financial liabilities.

Public funding continues to be available to support a sustainable model for TCD’s public promotion of science. I understand that TCD intends to consult on how their commitment to the public promotion of science might be re-imagined in the future. The Government has indicated that it is willing to engage with Trinity including in relation to funding on the basis of any proposals it brings forward.