Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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278. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the Natural History Museum, Merrion Street, Dublin 2 will reopen. [24422/22]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Natural History Museum was built in the 19^thcentury. While this means that the building has wonderful character, it also brings with it structural and environmental issues that do not arise in contemporary buildings. The museum has hardly changed in the last 166 years and is now showing its age. Under the National Development Plan, Government has committed to the first significant refurbishment of the museum since its founding.

The museum is currently closed to allow for investigative works to be carried out ahead of the full scale refurbishment of the building that will take place under the National Development Plan. This is a time consuming process which requires a careful approach because of the exceedingly delicate nature of the building and its collections. This initial phase of work is nearly concluded and the National Museum are aiming to reopen the ground floor to visitors by September.

It is vital that we protect this beloved institution to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the museum for years to come.