Vol. 537 No. 2
330 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the extent of the extra moneys available for the completion of the restoration works on the Geraldine Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare; the total expended to date; the extent to which expenditure is on target in respect of the various schedule of works; the plans she has for extra expenditure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16047/01]
I am glad to inform the Deputy that the main project, which is the adaptation and conservation of the ground floor and the provision of access to the first floor, is now scheduled for completion by the end of June 2001. After this date a full site reinstatement programme will be undertaken by my Department which should be completed within one month. It is planned that the site will be opened to the public by late summer. Preparation of the exhibition is also under way at this stage and is scheduled for completion next season.
The total spend to date on the restoration of Maynooth Castle is £905,348. I am satisfied that the project being undertaken can be completed within the available budget of £1.5 million.
331 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans she has for the restoration or repair of any further monuments or buildings in north Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16048/01]
The following is a list of restoration projects in north County Kildare being planned by my Department: Castletown – ongoing restoration works and provision of visitor facilities and Jigginstown – archaeological assessment, conservation and presentation.
