Written Answers. - Architectural Heritage.
Ulick Burke
Question:
216
Mr. U. Burke
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands
if the appropriate finance will be provided through the national development plan to allow the Office of Public Works to complete fully the restoration works at Portumna Castle, County Galway, in view of the fact this is a major tourist amenity; the full costs involved in completing this work; and if she will make a statement on her Department's intention with regard to this project.
[19305/99]
Paul Connaughton
Question:
217
Mr. Connaughton
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands
when it is proposed to install the oak stairway to the upper floors and to lay down the flooring boards at Portumna Castle, County Galway; when it is further proposed to make ready the library on the second floor in line with proposals for a wild geese library as proposed by the Wild Geese Heritage Research Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19306/99]
Paul Connaughton
Question:
218
Mr. Connaughton
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands
the proposed budget allocation and the detailed work programme envisaged for the year 2000 for Portumna Castle, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19307/99]
Paul Connaughton
Question:
219
Mr. Connaughton
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands
the budget allocated, the expenditure arrived at and the detailed work programme which has been undertaken at Portumna Castle, County Galway, in each of the years from 1997 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19308/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 to 219, inclusive, together.
A major programme of works, involving conservation and presentation of the castle and its demesne, has been under way at Portumna Castle since 1989. The current phase of works has been funded under the European Union's Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99, and I am obliged under that programme to complete a project with a strong tourism dimension before the end of 2000.
I am pleased to inform the Deputies that significant progress has been made at Portumna Castle under the current phase of works and that the original allocation of £1.6 million for this phase of the project will in fact be exceeded by end 2000. An important feature of my Department's activities at Portumna was the decision to allow incremental tourist access to the castle as works proceeded, rather than close off the site until the project's conclusion. As a result, Portumna Castle and its estate has already contributed to the economic and social development of the Portumna area.
Expenditure on the project during the period 1997-99 was: 1997 – £411,000, 1998 – £399,000 and 1999 (to end of August) £218,000.
Specifically the works since 1997 have involved the construction of some new floors of the castle; expert repair and specialist glazing of the extensive window complex at the castle; plaster conservation works in the stairwell; resurfacing and public lighting of the road from the entrance gate to the marina; research on and preparation of an enhanced exhibition on the lifestyle of the Clanricarde family, as well as major archaeological investigation of the drainage system and subsequent remedial repairs to the drains in order to alleviate flooding in the basement; associated re-instatement of excavated areas; major works to the external boundary walls and paths and surfaces for the herb garden and its walls.
On the subject of the installation of a stairway to the castle, the priority is to facilitate the maximum visitor access to the castle by the end of this phase and, to this end, a stairway of oak and steel construction will be installed next year in the courtyard wing of the castle. This will permit access to the upper areas and meet the essential health and safety requirements of visitors to this national monument.
The current EU funded project will be completed next year with the completion of the first and second floors at the castle; provision of the oak and steel stairway; some additional plaster conservation works; the repair of the chimney stacks and miscellaneous minor works; the provision of an enhanced exhibition and the tidying up of the adjoining courtyard. This courtyard area can then be considered for possible new use. My Department's workforce, which is currently accommodated in this courtyard will, in the meantime, move to the 19th century courtyard located several hundred metres away on the estate where some refurbishment work has already taken place.
Regarding the next national development plan 2000-2006, I have yet to finalise my Department's capital programme of works for that period. In this regard, however, I must refer the Deputies again to the fact that a significant investment will have been made at Portumna Castle by the completion of the current phase of works and that a significant and discrete tourist amenity will be in place as a result.
The Deputies will be aware that a draft management plan for Portumna estate was completed last year and I have received a number of submissions from local interest groups on the contents of that draft plan. I am keenly aware of the proposal from the wild geese heritage research group for the use of a library space at the castle and I will keep this proposal in mind when drawing up my programme of capital works under the national development plan 2000-2006.
Finally, I should inform the Deputies that Portumna Castle is now in the care of Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, and that the Office of Public Works no longer has responsibilities in this area.
220. D'fhiafraighMr. Kenny den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán cén plean fostaíochta atá aici i leith poist a chur ar fáil i gCeathrú Thaidhg, Contae Mhaigh Eo, áit a bhfuil dífhostaíocht agus obair ghearrthéarmach faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19309/99]
Dírím aird an Teachta ar na freagraí a thug mé ar Cheisteanna Uimh. 711 agus 712 den 29 Meán Fómhair inar thagair mé dá bhfuil ar siúl ag Údarás na Gaeltachta chun fostaíocht a chur ar fáil do mhuintir an cheantair. Tig leis an Teachta glacadh leis go leanfaidh an tÚdarás go dícheallach lena gcuid iarrachtaí chun na críche sin.
