Vol. 524 No. 1
147 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will provide South Dublin County Council with funding to compensate the owner of Riversdale House, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, for planning refusal; and, if not, if she will take this house into public ownership as otherwise its character and historical value, as a former W.B. Yeats home, will be destroyed. [21794/00]
The Deputy will be aware that the protection of the architectural heritage is primarily a matter for the planning authorities and that my role is mainly to provide advice to planning authorities in the exercise of their functions. I understand that South Dublin County Council has designated Riversdale House as a protected structure. It is, accordingly, a matter for South Dublin County Council, in the first instance, to take whatever action it considers appropriate, consistent with its new powers, to protect the character of this building. The question of compensation, in the event of a refusal of planning permission, is for resolution between the developer and the council. The Deputy will understand that I have no role to play in that process.
148 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 18 April 2000, the further progress made to provide for the future of this important monastery chapel. [21874/00]
As stated in my previous reply, the Monastery Chapel of St. Alphonsus became a protected structure on 1 January of this year under the terms of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1999. As provided for in the Act, both the exterior and the interior of the chapel are protected and in the absence of a declaration from Dublin Corporation, no works are permitted without planning permission. No such declaration has been applied for.
I understand that an attempt was made by the developer to find a suitable buyer for the chapel and that this was advertised both in Ireland and internationally. Interest was shown by a number of parties but no interest was expressed which was compatible with the conservation of the chapel and the residential nature of the development.
In view of the fact that the development has almost been completed, the developer has recommenced discussions with local community groups and conservationists in order to find a suitable use for the chapel. Hopefully, a solution will be found to the satisfaction of all parties.
In the meantime, the chapel continues to be protected under the terms of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1999.
