Works to reopen Natural History Museum ‘too costly’

THE Office of Public Works (OPW)
has found that further works to enable full public access to the Natural
History Museum would be too costly in the current economic environment.

The museum reopened to the public in April 2010 almost
three years after the collapse of a stone staircase forced its closure.

But large sections of the museum – including the top
two floors – remain closed.

The 150-year-old museum on Merrion Street was closed
in July 2007 after a large section of stone staircase cracked and collapsed.

The OPW and the Department of Arts Sports and Tourism
at the time decided to undertake a e15 million refurbishment of the building.

After an initial delay of five months, the decision
was eventually taken in April 2009 to carry out basic works to enable part of
the museum to reopen.

Seamus Lynam, Head of Services, told Southside People
earlier this year that he had urged the OPW to investigate the possibility of
adding an extension to the museum and opening the entire facility on a phased
basis.

“The museum’s agenda is to open up that building
fully,

? he said.

“We are not at all happy that the general public doesn’t have
access to the balconies. There is no access to the upper floor for people with
difficulties, whether it is a disability or otherwise.

?

Deputy Kevin Humphreys (Lab) told Southside People
that the OPW had completed its report into the feasibility of fully reopening the
museum.

In response to a recent parliamentary question
submitted to his department by Deputy Humphreys, the Arts Minister Jimmy
Deenihan TD (FG) said his department had requested the OPW to examine the
feasibility of reopening the museum at

“minimum cost

?.

He said the report examined the possibility of
providing safe access to and circulation around the upper balconies through a
new enclosed lift and stairs at the southern end of the building.

He also confirmed that the report had been completed
but added:

“In view of the current economic climate it is not possible to state
when funding will become available for the works.

?

Deputy Humphreys said he would continue to urge the
minister to fully reopen the much loved cultural facility.

He claimed the works required to reopen the museum
could be carried out at a very

“low cost

?.

“The Natural History Museum is a real jewel in the
crown for Dublin,

? he declared.

“This is a national resource and it is
certainly one that has been used by Dubliners and especially school children
for many years. It is disappointing that there is reduced access to the
exhibits.

“I will be pushing for the museum to be fully
reopened,

? he added.

“I think that the reopening of the second floor could be
done at a very low cost. I believe we are not even talking about hundreds of
thousands, we are only talking about thousands.

?

A spokesperson at the Department of Arts, Heritage and
the Gaeltacht said that in view of the current economic climate it was not
possible to state when funding would become available for the works.

Southside People asked the department to provide
details on the findings of the feasibility report and the estimated cost for
the works at the museum.

The spokesperson said:

“On the basis that this project
may be the subject of a procurement process at some future date, it is not
considered appropriate to release either the specific details of the report or
the associated costs.

?