Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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238. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm which portion of the Natural History Museum is closing for renovations; the length of time it will be closed for; if the exhibits will be moved to another building for public viewing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9558/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D. announced her approval to proceed to the design phase of the Natural History Museum redevelopment project on 4^thJanuary 2023.

During this phase of the project the OPW will be working with the National Museum of Ireland and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to develop the Detailed Project Brief and Procurement Strategy as per Public Spending Code guidelines.

This will comprise of a number of steps including the confirmation of scope, confirmation of underpinning assumptions, an assessment of risks and the development of a Risk Management Strategy and the clear articulation of all design requirements and restrictions.

The NMI are responsible for the operations of the Natural History Museum and, as such, the planning for closures of the museum and decant of the collection.

All of this will feed into the development of a detailed delivery programme and project execution planning. Until that stage it would be premature to comment on phasing or duration of any elements of what will be a complex but exciting project that will see the museum continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.