Emmet Stagg
Question:36 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when the first phase of the restoration works at Maynooth Castle will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11149/99]
Written Answers. - National Monuments.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:80 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the schedule of proposed works in respect of the restoration of the Geraldine Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare; the extent of proposed expenditure of these works; the extra costs involved; the extent to which the proposed expenditure will meet the need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11252/99]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna 36 agus 80 le chéile.
I have now approved a first phase of the Maynooth Castle restoration project. This phase in itself is a stand alone project and involves the development of the ground floor vaulted areas for exhibition purposes together with access to the first floor and provision of small scale guide and visitor facilities. It is intended to commence the first phase of the restoration works in the latter half of 1999 and to complete them before the end of the year 2000.
A provision of £1 million has been made in my Department's Estimates for this project of which 75 per cent is being funded by the European Union's Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-1999. This provision is considered adequate to meet the requirements of the works outlined.
The remaining phase of the overall restoration scheme will be considered in the light of available resources to my Department after the year 2000 when the first phase is completed. It is not possible at this stage to give firm estimates of cost in relation to such future works.
Officials from Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, met with representatives of the Maynooth Castle restoration committee at the end of March and outlined the details of the first phase to them.