Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
104. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding the advancement of the proposed National Centre for Research and Remembrance; when physical works will be carried out; what services will be provided there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19221/24]
View answerIn March 2022 Government approved high level proposals for the National Centre for Research and Remembrance to be located on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry in Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1 to comprise:
• a museum and exhibition space, the development of which will be led by the National Museum of Ireland
• a research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century, which will form part of the National Archives
• a place for reflection and remembrance
• social housing
• educational and community facilities
A Steering Group, chaired by Mr Martin Fraser, former Secretary General to the Government and Ambassador to Great Britain, was established in April 2022 to drive the overall coordinated development of the National Centre.
In July 2022 Dublin City Council voted to transfer the site to the OPW, to be developed as the National Centre. The OPW is continuing essential maintenance works on the site to facilitate safe and full access and necessary building surveys.
In July 2023 Government approved the masterplan for the National Centre campus and in March 2024 it approved the preliminary business case for the full National Centre Campus to comprise, alongside the main museum and archive:
• social housing, configured to universal design standards and appropriate for older persons and persons with disabilities;
• the development of a lifelong learning hub for the provision of further and higher education and;
• facilities for the provision of community-based family and parenting supports
The development of the National Centre is multi-annual in nature and is currently in the planning stages. Extensive work is continuing on the development of a detailed project plan including timelines for development, with a number of Government departments and agencies acting in partnership. As the planning phase progresses, an indicative timeline for the project will be made available.
