PAC advises OPW to carry out 'comprehensive assessment' of abandoning children's science centre

When agreement was first reached to begin the project in 2003, the centre was expected to cost €14.3m. In the intervening years, the estimated cost has ballooned to over €70.4m

In the report, the PAC calls for the National Children’s Science Centre to 'consider the wider public interest in pursuit of their mission', despite the legal entitlements of the consortium behind the project, Irish Children’s Museum Limited. File picture: 3ddesignbureau.com

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026 - 15:59

Tadgh McNally

The Office of Public Works (OPW) should undertake a “comprehensive assessment” of the financial and legal implications of walking away from building a children’s science centre, an Oireachtas committee has recommended.

The Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said there needs to be engagement between the OPW, the Department of Public Expenditure, and representatives from the National Children’s Science Centre.

In a series of recommendations, due to be published on Thursday and seen by the Irish Examiner, the PAC says there is a need for government departments to work “with a view to identifying a way forward for the project or a way to end any commitment to the project while minimising any cost to the State”.

The OPW originally committed to building the centre 23 years ago and is legally obliged to deliver the project. OPW minister, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran previously stated that there is “no money” and “no budget” to deliver the centre.

OPW did not seek legal advice on costs of abandoning €70m children's science museum

When agreement was first reached to begin the project in 2003, the centre was expected to cost €14.3m. In the intervening years, the estimated cost has ballooned to over €70.4m.

Mr Moran previously told the PAC there was no sponsoring department to take on the project, alongside a lack of funds within the Government’s National Development Plan.

In the report, the PAC calls for the National Children’s Science Centre to “consider the wider public interest in pursuit of their mission”, despite the legal entitlements of the consortium behind the project, Irish Children’s Museum Limited.

The OPW is legally obliged to build the centre, following the State losing out on an arbitration process with the company in 2013. A second arbitration process in 2022 further cemented this obligation.

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The PAC also recommends the OPW “undertakes a comprehensive assessment” of the project’s costs, benefits, governance arrangements, operational model, long-term funding requirements, and value for money.

It says this assessment should include consideration of possible financial, legal, and contractual implications of withdrawing from the project.

A final recommendation from the PAC calls for both the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the OPW to provide a progress update on the National Children’s Science Centre within the next three months.