Vol. 537 No. 2
324 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the investigations she has carried out into the destruction of the Redemptoristine convent on St. Alphonsus Road, Drumcondra, by fire recently in view of its international importance architecturally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16040/01]
I am sure the Deputy is aware that the monastery was extensively damaged due to a fire on the night of 19-20 May. An official of my Department inspected the monastery on 20 May and it appears that the chapel and the adjoining hall are the only parts of the building complex to escape the fire, although there may be smoke damage. The cause of the fire is unknown and is the subject of a Garda investigation.
325 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the position of Dúchas in regard to the plans to replace and realign Bond Bridge, Maynooth, County Kildare; if the involvement of Dúchas has added to the cost; if so, the extent to which; the degree to which Dúchas or other bodies under the aegis of her Department have delayed the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16041/01]
I can assure the Deputy that my Department is not holding up the work at Bond Bridge. In my earlier reply of 14 November 2000 I indicated that, in response to concerns expressed by my Department regarding the protection of the architecturally significant bridges, Kildare County Council employed the services of a conservation architect to examine the merits or otherwise of the proposal for conserving the existing structure.
Having considered the contents of that report my Department wrote to the council on 12 March 2001 to indicate that one of the options outlined by the conservation architect, although a compromise, would be acceptable. This proposal would retain part of the fabric of this historic bridge on the site where it was built. The stone from the part of the bridge to be demolished could be used to face the western side of the new bridge. A response in the matter is awaited from Kildare County Council.
The question of cost is a matter for Kildare County Council.
326 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the degree to which her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department are prepared to provide resources for the flood lighting of various national monuments or buildings of cultural, architectural or historical interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16042/01]
My Department does not have discretionary funding available to allocate to floodlighting projects other than at properties in its care.
The main source of public funds for heritage projects is the Heritage Council, which is a statutory autonomous body established under the Heritage Act, 1995. Under this Act the council has the powers to provide advice and assistance, including financial assistance, in relation to the protection preservation and promotion of built heritage. The council is located in Rothe House, Kilkenny City, telephone (056) 70777, Fax number (056) 70788. While I as Minister provide operational funding to the Heritage Council, I have no function in relation to decisions by the council on the disbursal of grants.
In addition the local authorities administer a grant aid scheme for approved conservation works to buildings-monuments listed on the local authority record of protected structures.
