Vol. 518 No. 1
169 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the full extent of moneys proposed for expenditure on the restoration of the Geraldine Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare; the total expenditure to date; the further proposed expenditure; the extent of the total works involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11224/00]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 260 of 1 February 2000 in relation to Maynooth Castle. The estimated cost of the first phase is £1.3 million and the sum of £124,000 has been spent on the project to date. The remaining phase of the restoration will have to be considered in light of the resources available to my Department and it is not possible at this stage to give an order of costs for this final phase.
170 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the total works required, if any, in respect of the restoration at Castletown House, Celbridge, County Kildare; the likely cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11225/00]
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a contract has recently commenced for Phase IV of restoration works to Castletown House and involves the repair and re-roofing of the east and west colonnades, the relaying of steps at the entrance and repairs to the ha-ha walls to the rear of the house. To date the total restoration cost, including the current phase, is £6.2 million.
A considerable programme of works still 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 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, however the total cost is likely to run into several million pounds.
171 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if any recent surveys have been undertaken at Connolly's Folly, Maynooth, County Kildare with particular reference to the urgent need to protect and preserve the structure and set an early date for further restoration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11226/00]
The condition of the Connolly Folly has been closely monitored by my Department since the folly came into State care in 1993.
The folly was extensively restored by the Irish Georgian Society in the 1960s. The work was to a very high standard and has ensured the generally good condition of the Folly up to the present day.
A report on the history and condition of the folly was commissioned by my Department in 1998 and following on from this a more detailed report and proposals for works are currently being worked on. Of course, any works to the folly will require planning permission and would only be undertaken in consultation with the Castletown Foundation, the Heritage Council and other interested bodies.
However, as already stated on a number of occasions in response to previous questions on this issue my Department's priority for the present must be the restoration programme for Castletown House itself. I can assure the Deputy that the Connolly Folly is not being neglected and restoration works will be undertaken as resources permit.
173 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has any proposals for the restoration of Carbury Castle, County Kildare; if she has received any requests in this regard; if so, her response to such proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11228/00]
Carbury Castle is not in State ownership and consequently my Department is not in a position to undertake any works there. I can also confirm that my Department is not aware at this stage of any proposed works on the site. It must be stated that Carbury Castle is a recorded monument and as such has legal protection under the National Monuments Acts, 1930-1994. In accordance with this legislation the owner-occupier of the monument is legally required to give my Department two months notice in writing of any proposed works that may impact on the monument.
