asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a recent report (details supplied) on the advanced structural decay in the curvilinear range of glasshouses in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin 9; whether that report is essentially correct; the urgent measures, if any, he proposes to take to rescue this building; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - National Botanic Gardens.
38.
I am aware of the media report in The Irish Times on 12 May. Regrettably as a result of extensive rusting and structural decay which has taken place over more than 100 years there has been substantial distortion of the entire frame of the curvilinear range.
The Commissioners of Public Works have drawn up a major restoration programme which they propose to carry out in four phases.
Planning of this programme is at an advanced stage but tenders cannot be invited in the immediate future due to budgetary constraints. If funds were available the Commissioners of Public Works could complete the planning, invite tenders and commence works within six months.
Initially it is hoped to deal with the central pavilion where deterioration is most severe and which is now closed to the public for safety reasons.