asked the Minister for Finance the total amount spent to date on restoration work on the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin; the present situation regarding this building; the extra funds which will be required to complete the restoration; when this work will be completed; and when it is intended that this building be opened to the public.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Building Restoration.
33.
The amount spent to date on restoration work on the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin, is approximately £210,000.
Work on the elimination of dry rot and the restoration of the fabric in the north wing has been completed.
Work on the restoration of the other three wings and the adaptation of the entire building as a folk museum remains to be done. Consultations with the National Museum about the further work are in progress and it is hoped to commence detailed planning next year.
At this stage it is not possible to give an estimate of the total expenditure which will be involved or to indicate when the work is likely to be completed. I may say, however, that having regard to the magnitude of the project the cost is bound to be considerable.
Is this an example of the waste which I have constantly complained about in this House — an expenditure already of £210,000? One would imagine it was 210 halfpence from the way the Parliamentary Secretary talks about it. He says he cannot tell us how much more it will cost. Will it be twice as much or five times as much? Will it end up as £1 million?
It will be in excess of £1 million.
What for?
The Royal Hospital is the only surviving public building of 17th century architecture in the country.
This, of course, is quite inaccurate. It does not matter whether it is public or private. It is gross waste.
It will be a folk museum.