Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 3

Written Answers. - Heritage Centres.

Ulick Burke

Question:

252 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will acquire ownership of the old workhouse buildings at Portumna, County Galway; if she will develop it in conjunction with the Castle Forest Park and Lough Derg for use as a heritage centre or interpretative centre, in view of the fact that it remains the only building of its kind in reasonable repair and intact in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4143/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

While the old work house buildings at Portumna are of significant local-regional interest, it is the view of Dú chas — the heritage service of my Department — that they would not merit State care on heitage grounds. It would not, therefore, be appropriate to acquire these buildings in relation to the major conservation project which I am currently undertaking at Portumna Castle.