asked the Minister for Finance the ages of the building complex that comprises Leinster House, The National Museum, The National Library, The National Gallery and The Natural History Museum; when the outer stonework of these buildings was last cleaned and restored; if he will outline the approximate cost of cleaning and restoring these buildings; and if it is his intention to carry out such necessary work in the near future given the deplorable condition of some of the frontage.
Written Answers. - Cleaning of Leinster House Complex Exterior.
837.
The approximate ages of Leinster House, the National Museum, the National Library, the National Gallery, and Natural History Museum are 230, 100, 100, 120 and 120 years respectively.
The facade of the original Leinster House was last cleaned during the years 1962 and 1963 and some stone restoration work was carried out in 1965 and 1981.
A major stonework repair programme is proposed for the National Museum. A survey has been carried out and some tests and trial repairs done but further tests are required. It is not possible at this stage to estimate the cost of the work involved or to say when the works can commence.
Renewal of some of the stonework of the National Library was carried out at different periods between 1954 and 1971.
Cleaning of the stonework of the National Gallery was carried out as part of a contract placed in 1964 for the erection of an extension to the building.
The Commissioners of Public Works have no record that any cleaning or restoration of the stonework of the Natural History Museum was carried out.
Apart from stonework repairs proposed for the National Museum there are no proposals at present for carrying out cleaning or stone restoration works to the other buildings mentioned in the question.