A specialist scanner, purchased by the National Gallery of Ireland for over €120,000 in 2017, remains unused nearly eight years later due to ongoing difficulties in finding a suitable room to house the equipment.
Since 2018, the National Gallery has worked with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to identify a suitable location, but efforts have been unsuccessful.
In November 2018, a tender process was launched to secure a suitable space, but only one bid was received, and it was deemed non-compliant.
Privately, Government ministers have expressed frustration over yet another historic spending issue within the Department of Arts, Tourism, and Sport, raising further concerns about public spending and project planning.
As the scanner remains idle, questions remain over how and when the National Gallery will finally be able to utilize the equipment originally purchased nearly a decade ago.
Since 2018, the National Gallery has worked with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to identify a suitable location, but efforts have been unsuccessful.
Structural Concerns Delay Installation
The scanner, which was intended for the Digital Investigative Imaging Project, requires a room fitted with lead lining for radiation shielding. However, concerns over the load-bearing capacity of rooms within the National Gallery have prevented its installation.In November 2018, a tender process was launched to secure a suitable space, but only one bid was received, and it was deemed non-compliant.
Issue Expected to Be Raised at Cabinet
The issue is likely to be discussed at today’s Cabinet meeting, as Minister for Arts Patrick O'Donovan presents the National Gallery’s annual report.Privately, Government ministers have expressed frustration over yet another historic spending issue within the Department of Arts, Tourism, and Sport, raising further concerns about public spending and project planning.
As the scanner remains idle, questions remain over how and when the National Gallery will finally be able to utilize the equipment originally purchased nearly a decade ago.
