The Government needs to decide as “a matter of urgency” whether the National Children’s Science Centre project should proceed, the chairman of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has said.
The current estimated cost of the project is €70.4 million, which may increase when the project is tendered, and excludes certain costs, according to an interim report from the PAC published on Thursday.
The committee found the proposed centre has progressed for more than two decades without a sponsoring department, an approved business case or a clearly agreed funding source.
Meanwhile, the State remains legally bound to continue key elements of the project.
RM Block
The committee recommended the Office of Public Works (OPW) undertake a “comprehensive assessment” of the financial and legal implications of terminating or withdrawing from the project.
The long-planned facility, earmarked for Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin, is to feature 9,580sq m of public exhibition, event and programmable spaces.
It will also include three floors of interactive exhibits, a 122-seater planetarium, a theatre and fully equipped science laboratory spaces.
The OPW first agreed with Ireland Children’s Museum Limited in 2003 to build the museum. However, no Government department is willing to take on the project, leaving it stalled.
The OPW estimated the total construction cost at €70.4 million in May 2024, excluding exhibition and planetarium fit-out costs that were priced in the region of €19 million in 2022.
The cost also excludes an estimated €30 million in State support over a 10-year period towards operational and exhibit renewal costs.
To date, more than €4.3 million has been spent on legal fees, consultancy, surveys and related project costs, with additional legal bills still to be finalised.
The report notes the project has advanced without the safeguards normally expected for a major public capital development, exposing the exchequer to significant legal and financial risk.
Sinn Féin TD and chair of the PAC John Brady said the committee was especially concerned the OPW was continuing to spend money on procurement and preparation, with €22,000 recently spent on technical consultants.
“There is no comprehensive business case showing value for money, long-term viability or how the centre would be sustainably operated,” he said.
“The Government now needs to decide, as a matter of urgency, whether and how the project should proceed, or whether there is a better way to conclude the State’s commitments in the public interest.”
