Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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683. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he or the Secretary General have visited Explorium to ensure they are fully informed of its facilities and offerings, in the context of OPW plans to build a second science centre 10km away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21286/25]

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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684. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide details on the timeline and terms of reference for the OPW’s value-for-money analysis of the National Children’s Science Centre project; the specific criteria being used to assess value for money, including comparative analysis with existing facilities; whether this review will consider operational costs and long-term sustainability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21287/25]

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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685. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the value-for-money review on the proposed National Children’s Science Centre will evaluate the risk of duplicating services already provided by Explorium, given its proximity (10km) and existing capacity for 300,000 annual visitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21288/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 683, 684 and 685 together.

The OPW have a contractual obligation to construct the National Science Centre in accordance with the terms of the legal agreement with Irish Children’s Museum Ltd. This agreement pre-dates the development of ‘Explorium’.

Any value for money exercise to be undertaken on National Children’s Science Centre will need to be undertaken by an Approving Authority. The OPW will be undertaking the role of the Contracting Authority. Neither the Minister or the Chairman have visited Explorium since it re-opened.