Explorium Chief Critiques Dublin’s National Children’s Science Centre Plans

The proposal to establish the €70 million National Children’s Science Centre (NCSC) at Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin has drawn sharp criticism from industry leaders. Charlie Kelly, managing director of Explorium, a privately-owned science centre, stated that the city centre location “doesn’t make any sense.” He expressed concerns about the practicality and financial implications of constructing the NCSC so close to an existing science centre, which is located just 10 kilometres away.

Kelly characterized the plan as a “crazy use of public funds,” suggesting that a partnership with Explorium could be a more viable alternative. His remarks followed a recent meeting of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC), where representatives from the Irish Children’s Museum Limited (ICML) presented their long-standing plans for the NCSC. Officials from the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has a legal obligation to facilitate the NCSC project, also testified at the session.

During the meeting, PAC chairman John Conlan revealed that the OPW lacks the necessary funding to proceed with the science centre. The plans for the NCSC have been under consideration for over 20 years, yet no government department has stepped forward to sponsor the project. An agreement in 2003 mandated the OPW to deliver a children’s science museum, but the financial crisis in 2008 derailed initial efforts. Under a new agreement established in 2013, the OPW committed to constructing the facility adjacent to the National Concert Hall (NCH) on Earlsfort Terrace.

The PAC has previously indicated that by March 2024, the anticipated cost to the state for the NCSC project could reach approximately €70.4 million. A report from the Comptroller and Auditor General published last year noted that Explorium, which has been operating in Sandyford since 2018, might limit the demand for an additional science centre in Dublin.

Kelly emphasized the logistical challenges posed by the proposed city-centre location. He questioned the availability of parking for buses that would transport school groups, highlighting that Explorium is situated “on the edge of the M50” with ample space for such transportation. “I think we’d be a much more preferable solution,” he stated, asserting that Explorium is already meeting the objectives the NCSC aims to achieve.

He called for the government to designate a lead department to coordinate efforts among all stakeholders involved. At the PAC meeting, Barbara Galavan, chief executive of ICML, provided insights into the plans for the Earlsfort Terrace site, which include three floors of interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and laboratories. Galavan mentioned that ICML is committed to raising €25 million for the centre’s fit-out, which would be gifted to the state for the benefit of children.

Despite previous discussions, Galavan indicated that ICML is not positioned to engage in negotiations with Explorium due to its commitment to the government. She also pointed out that the OPW has stated that €40 million must be invested into the portion of the NCH building designated for the NCSC, regardless of its final purpose.

Additionally, Luke O’Neill, a board member of ICML, expressed support for the Earlsfort Terrace site, describing it as ideal due to its central location and proximity to the NCH. He asserted that this location could create a unique intersection between the arts and science in Ireland.

In a recent submission to the PAC, ICML urged the committee to recommend that the government appoint a sponsoring department to expedite the development of the NCSC. The ongoing discussions highlight the complexities of public funding and the challenges of establishing a new educational facility in a city that already hosts science centres. The future of the NCSC remains uncertain as stakeholders navigate these financial and logistical hurdles.