Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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351. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Department that will take responsibility for the National Children's Science Centre once completed by the OPW; the way in which this will be funded annually; if funded by the State, the way in which this impacts other operators in terms of State aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25159/25]

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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352. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific terms under which the National Concert Hall site was allocated for the National Children’s Science Museum project, including duration, cost-sharing, and oversight mechanisms; if the OPW has assessed the impact of construction on the National Concert Hall’s operations and heritage status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25160/25]

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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362. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific terms under which the National Concert Hall site was allocated for the National Children's Science Museum project, including duration, cost-sharing, and oversight mechanisms; whether the OPW has assessed the impact of construction on the National Concert Hall's operations and heritage status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25764/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 351, 352 and 362 together.

Following the commencement of Arbitration proceedings between the Irish Children’s Museum Limited (ICML) and the Office of Public Works (OPW), and a subsequent Settlement Agreement (2013), the site of the proposed National Children’s Science Museum (NCSC) was allocated to a portion of the Earlsfort Terrace Complex.

As per the 2013 Settlement Agreement, the OPW is contractually bound to be the Contracting Authority for the development and construction of the National Children’s Science Centre (NCSC). Prior to advancing the project any further a Government decision will be required to; agree the provision of capital funding , to provide clarity on the NCSC operating model (post construction), and to appoint a project Sponsoring Agency and Approving Authority.

The Irish Children’s Museum Limited (ICML) – the promoters of the NCSC project – are responsible for the costs associated with the exhibition fit-out, planetarium and the operational costs of the facility, post construction.

As part of the Planning Permission process, the OPW has published Conservation Impact Assessment reports addressing the impacts of the development on the National Concert Hall’s operation and heritage status as a Protected Structure. This assessment has been considered by both Dublin City Council and An Board Pleanála in their decision to grant permission for the proposed development.