Vol. 488 No. 5
20 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the position in relation to the restoration of Maynooth Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare; when the works will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6538/98]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Commissioners of Public Works, on behalf of my Department, have recently applied to Kildare County Council for planning permission to undertake restoration works at Maynooth Castle. Planning notices appeared in the main daily papers on 24 February last and an application for planning permission was formally lodged with Kildare County Council by the Office of Public Works this week.
The works to be undertaken at the castle involve the reroofing of the keep in order to preserve and present the monument for public access in a form that maintains the landscape setting of the castle ruins, with minimal additions necessary for the use of the castle for exhibitions, assembly and services for guides. I have set aside £1.5 million to fund these works under the operation programme for tourism 1994-99 and, subject to receipt of planning permission, it is envisaged that the works will be carried out in 1998 and 1999.
