Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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833. 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; the 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. [43619/25]

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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834. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the predicted construction cost for the National Children’s Science Museum project; and the costs that have been incurred to date. [43620/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 833 and 834 together.

The costs associated with the National Children’s Science Centre were last reviewed in May 2024 at circa €70 million. The OPW expenditure on the NCSC project since 2003 is €2,453,014.57.

The National Children’s Science Centre was allocated the North and part of the East wings of the R.M Butler building and the Real Tennis building at the Earlsfort Terrace Complex, home also to the National Concert Hall. This allocation occurred as part of the 2013 Settlement Agreement between the OPW and Irish Children’s Museum Limited (ICML). This Agreement replaced the 2003 Agreement between both parties, whereby the OPW had entered into a legal agreement to provide a Children’s Science Centre as part of a wider masterplan development at Military Road, Heustongate, Dublin 8.

The Settlement Agreement was negotiated in 2013 on foot of legal advice and in advance of arbitration proceedings. The alternative site at Earlsfort Terrace involve assets within State ownership that are predominantly vacant and in need of investment. It is the intention that the site at Earlsfort Terrace will have a shared energy centre between the National Concert Hall and the National Children’s Science Centre. The OPW will be the contracting authority for the NCSC, the sponsoring agent for the project has yet to be determined. The ICML are responsible for the exhibition fitout. The project will be managed in line with the Capital Works Management Framework. The OPW has undertaken a full assessment of the development of the NCSC as part of the 2016 and subsequent 2024 planning permission. This includes a detailed Architectural heritage Impact Assessment Report.