Vol. 540 No. 3
259 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if, in co-operation with other relevant Departments or on her own initiative, she proposes to take any action to preserve and designate Donadea Castle and Forest Park as a national park for use by the local community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20750/01]
260 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has received requests for the restoration of Donadea Castle and buildings; if an evaluation has been conducted on the feasibility of such a project; if she will favourably consider such a proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20751/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.
261 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when she proposes to take action to restore Connolly's Folly, Maynooth, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20752/01]
There is no change in the position outlined in my response dated 29 May, 2001 to the Deputy's most recent Parliamentary Question No. 333 on this issue.
262 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the state of the refurbishment works at Geraldine Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare; the extent of the moneys already spent; the extent of the moneys still available; if the remaining funds are sufficient to meet the works outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20753/01]
Final touches are being put to the main project, which is the adaptation and conservation of the ground floor and the provision of access to the first floor, and the site is due to be handed over to my Department by the contractor on 11 July. The site will then be prepared by staff from my Department's depot in Trim with a view to it being open to the public in early August. Work is continuing on the preparation of the exhibition for the site and this remains on target for completion next season. The total spend to date on the adaptation and conservation project is £906,729 and I remain satisfied that the project can be completed within the available budget of £1.5 million.
