Sir, – I was disappointed to read your editorial on April 30th saying plans for a National Children’s Science Centre should be abandoned. It is a disgrace that, despite so much international evidence and government policy pointing to the benefits of such a facility, Ireland remains the only OECD country without one.
Readers of the editorial may be forgiven for thinking the Office of Public Works did a “solo run” in 2003. The fact is the project was in response to a government request. It was launched, with some fanfare, by the taoiseach and tánaiste of the day.
The goal is still shared by many, not just the voluntary board of the National Children’s Science Centre, which I joined in 2022. We are committed to working with Government. The majority of children’s science centres internationally have a public component, reflecting their role in national education policy.
In 2023 a report produced by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education said the National Children’s Science Centre should be “opened as a matter of urgent national priority”.
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The biggest issues we face as a country and a global community will be transformed by science and technology – climate change, AI and food security to name just a few. Inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators to be part of the response to these issues should be a national priority. We must also protect them from the malign world of misinformation and help them engage with emerging technologies.
Multiple studies demonstrate that starting an interest in Stem subjects during childhood is critical to addressing growing skill shortages. Many of the leading technology, scientific, pharma and medtech companies that are located here, and from which Ireland benefits greatly, are of the same view.
The board of the National Children’s Science Centre shares the frustration about the lack of progress to date. We have a location and planning permission. We are committed to raising €25 million for the fit-out.
For all of these reasons, the case is more compelling now than ever. – Yours, etc,
Prof Luke O’Neill,
Member of the NCSC board,
School of Biochemistry and Immunology,
Trinity College Dublin.
