Vol. 435 No. 8
11 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he has had representations from the St. Helen's House Preservation Group, Booters-town, County Dublin in connection with a possible State purchase of St. Helen's House; if he has given any consideration to possible cultural uses for this house; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The representations received by me from St. Helen's House Preservation Group did not raise the question of the possible State purchase of St. Helen's House.
On the general issue of State acquisition of historic properties in private ownership, some time ago I requested the advice of the National Heritage Council on the development of a broad policy in this area and I await their reply.
In relation to St. Helen's House, I am in communication with the Office of Public Works concerning the possible application of the provisions of the National Monuments Acts to St. Helen's.
The Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that my Department has no immediate plans for any cultural uses for the House. However, this would not preclude such usage by other bodies.
