Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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93. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the detail of 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. [11291/22]

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 (TCD) since TCD’s initial announcement regarding the Science Gallery.

TCD has made it clear that the current model for the 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. In a recent statement, the Provost of TCD noted that the gallery's current operational model had run its course, there is a need for the gallery to be totally reimagined, and that time is required to build a sustainable way forward.

My Department will continue to engage with TCD as they move into a new phase of planning for the gallery.

As I have said before, public funding continues to be available to support a sustainable model for public promotion of science. The Government has indicated that it is willing to engage with TCD, including in relation to funding on the basis of any proposals it brings forward.