Trinity must engage with Government & public on future science gallery – Naughten

In Business & Jobs, Families, Infrastructure, Jobs, News, Posts by Topic, Young People by Denis Naughten

Denis Naughten TD has called on Trinity College to actively engage with both the Government and the public on its proposed new science gallery model following the gallery’s closure at the end of last month.

“Earlier this week the Minister for Further and Higher Education; Research; Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, told me that not only is public funding available ‘to support a sustainable model for public promotion of science’ but also that the Government is willing to engage with Trinity College on any proposals they wish to make on the public promotion of science,” stated Denis Naughten.

“Not only is it imperative that Trinity College takes up this offer of Government support, but it must also engage with the public on its proposals for a ‘reimagined’ science gallery in advance of making any final decision.

“Since the start of this century scientific research in this country has been a key plank of our economic and industrial policy, it has also been vital in enabling us to respond to the Covid pandemic. That’s down to our scientists, many of whom have been inspired to go into research through their engagement with the Science Gallery,” stated Denis Naughten.

“At a time when science, and the public’s understanding of science, is so important as a result of Covid-19 it seems bizarre that the very first casualty is the one organisation which has tried to convert complex scientific concepts into understandable language for the public.

“The loss of such a critical element in the promotion of science and technology will undermine our strategy to position ourselves as a world leader in these fields. We need to ensure that the science gallery reopens and continues to engage with the public and particularly young people, which is in the long-term strategic interest of our country,” concluded Denis Naughten.

ENDS.

 

Editor’s Note:

 

 

______________________________________________
For Oral Answer on : 08/02/2022
Question Number(s): 131,105,112,126 Question Reference(s): 6072/22, 5508/22, 6359/22, 5509/22
Department: Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Asked by: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill T.D., Denis Naughten T.D., Mark Ward T.D.
______________________________________________

QUESTION

* To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education; Research; Innovation and Science the engagement his Department had on the future of the Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Jennifer Carroll MacNeill T.D.

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 8 February, 2022.

* To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education; Research; Innovation and Science the details of his discussions to date to secure the continued operation of the Science Gallery, Trinity College, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Denis Naughten T.D.

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 8 February, 2022.

* To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education; Research; Innovation and Science the efforts being made to retain the Science Gallery in Trinity College Dublin given its cultural importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Mark Ward T.D.

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 8 February, 2022.

* To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education; Research; Innovation and Science the engagement to date to secure the continued operation of the Science Gallery, Trinity College, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Denis Naughten T.D.

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 8 February, 2022.

REPLY

Since it opened in 2008, the Science Gallery has been a popular visitor attraction and strengthened the appreciation of science especially among young people. My Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media remain in contact with the Provost and management at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) since TCD’s initial announcement regarding the Science Gallery.

TCD has made it clear that the current model for the gallery is financially unsustainable due to changes in the philanthropic funding environment, which if left unaddressed, would have left the College exposed to significant ongoing financial liabilities. In a recent statement, the Provost of TCD noted that the gallery’s current operational model had run its course, there is a need for the gallery to be totally reimagined, and that time is required to build a sustainable way forward.

My Department will continue to engage with TCD as they move into a new phase of planning for the gallery.

As I have said before, public funding continues to be available to support a sustainable model for  public promotion of science. The Government has indicated that it is willing to engage with TCD, including in relation to funding on the basis of any proposals it brings forward.