Vol. 501 No. 6
334 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of heritage houses and buildings in respect of which refurbishment is under way or planned by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7175/99]
Refurbishment and conservation of 45 heritage houses is either in progress at present or is planned to commence this year by Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department. Projects included in these works, which are funded by EU operational programmes or the Exchequer public capital programme, are the refurbishment of Askeaton Castle and Abbey, Barryscourt Castle, Boyle Abbey, Doe Castle, Sligo Abbey, Maynooth Castle, Trim Castle, Roscrea Castle, the Mainguard, Clonmel, Grange Castle, Kilkenny Castle and Castletown House.
335 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the position in relation to the refurbishment of Castletown House, Celbridge, County Kildare; the extent of the funding originally intended for the project; the amount spent to date; the amount required, if any, to complete the works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7176/99]
Phase I of works to the main block of Castletown House was completed in 1995 and involved replacing the entire roof and rebuilding the chimney and parapet. Phase II which involved mechanical, electrical, fire prevention and security works and structural repairs was completed in November 1998. Both phases were necessary to secure the fabric of the house and to install all the necessary infrastructure to ensure that it complies with the best current practice and standards for historic buildings in respect of fire, security, health and safety requirements.
A range of other works, consisting primarily of structural works, site services and finishes in key areas are under way and will be completed before Castletown House reopens to the public.
Actual expenditure on the three phases of works carried out to date amounts to some £4.2 million and approximately £1.3 million remains to be expended. All works to date relate to securing the fabric of the building and to protection of the house from such hazards as fire and intrusion. A considerable programme of works remains to be done e.g. interior restoration in the house, the upgrading and provision of visitor facilities both in the house and in the demesne grounds generally and improving access. These works will require substantial Exchequer funding and will be carried out on a phased basis as resources permit over a number of years. As of now, no firm estimates of cost are available for these further works.
336 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, she has in respect of the restoration of the Connolly Folly, Maynooth, County Kildare, including costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7177/99]
The position regarding restoration works to the Connolly Folly remains as stated in my reply to Question No. 170 from the Deputy on 25 November last.
337 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the plans for the provision of a footbridge at the Canal Harbour, Maynooth, County Kildare; when these works will be completed in view of the need to accommodate festivities planned during the summer 1999; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7178/99]
My Department is not responsible for replacement of the footbridge in question. CIE has been in contact with my Department concerning the design parameters for the bridge but I am not aware of the timetable for its construction. My Department will assist wherever possible the festivities planned for this summer.
338 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the position regarding the restoration of Geraldine Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare; the funding originally planned and required for expenditure on the project; the extent of any expenditure to date; the extent of the full financial requirement to complete the work; the full extent and schedule of these works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7179/99]
An initial provision of £1 million has been made in my Department's Estimates for the project, of which 75 per cent is to be funded from the European Union's Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-99. To date £78,000 has been expended. A detailed programme for the works, including a proposed phasing of the project is being considered in the light of available resources. It is intended to commence the first phase of the restoration works in the latter half of this year.
