Vol. 520 No. 1
317 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the current position regarding repairs to Ballybunion Castle, County Kerry, following its recent damage by lightening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14933/00]
As the Deputy will be aware, Ballybunion Castle which is not in State ownership is in a dangerous condition following lightning damage in December last. For safety reasons Kerry County Council fenced off the castle and in January it was inspected by a senior conservation architect from my Department and by Kerry County Council's area engineer.
Following that inspection the architect provided a report to the county council on the condition of the castle. The report identified the need for urgent remedial works. The county council have recently informed me that they are in the process of removing the most dangerous portion of the castle in such a way as to allow for the rebuilding of that portion in due course.
No estimate is yet available for the cost of conserving Ballybunion Castle. This can only be determined after scaffolding has been erected, which in itself is a specialist, and difficult job. In any event a conservation of the castle is likely to prove to be an expensive project. I recognise the importance of Ballybunion Castle as a landmark for the town of Ballybunion and am aware of the interest locally in its conservation. Unfortunately, the resources of Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department are already fully committed to the 700 monuments currently in State care. Kerry County Council, for their part, have informed me that they do not have the resources to allocate funds for this work.
Officials of my Department have been in touch with the Heritage Council and with Kerry County Council as regards possible sources of funding of the conservation of the castle. One major stumbling block is that ownership of the castle has not been established and until this is done the building will not be placed on the Heritage Council's Buildings at Risk Register. The Heritage Council say they are not in a position to consider funding the conservation of a building until it has been placed on the Buildings at Risk Register.
Notwithstanding the difficulties that are being faced, my Department is prepared to work in co-operation with the county council and other interested parties with a view to finding a solution. In this regard, senior officials of my Department are due to meet with county council officials at their request in the near future.
