'Our learners are adults, not children': Department washes its hands of children's science centre

Since 2003, the children's museum's budget has spiralled from an initial €14m to its most recently assigned level of €70.4m

A visualisation of the proposed national children’s science centre. The saga of the museum stretches back more than 20 years when the OPW first committed to delivering the project in conjunction with a private consortium, Irish Children's Museum Limited. Photo: 3ddesignbureau.com

The Department of Further Education has distanced itself from any association with the troubled €70m National Children's Science Centre, arguing its concern is “adults, not children”.

In a letter to the head of the Office of Public Works John Conlon in June, secretary general of the Department of Further Education, Colm O'Reardon, noted that when first set up in 2024 the body had received details of all the legacy issues it would hold responsibility for.