Bernard J. Durkan
Question:124 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her plans for the refurbishment of Connolly's Folly, Maynooth, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32130/01]
Written Answers. - Architectural Heritage.
I wish to confirm the position outlined in responses to a number of previous questions by the Deputy on the same issue, the most recent of which is dated 8 November 2001.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:125 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the extent and cost of the restoration works carried out to date at the Geraldine Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare; the projected costs of further proposed works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32131/01]
As the Deputy will be aware from my reply of 8 November 2001 to Parliamentary Question No. 150, Maynooth Castle was opened to the public on 27 July last. Work on the exhibition to be installed in the castle is on target for completion and installation in the 2002 season.
Once the installation of the exhibition is complete, my Department will be in a position to assess the needs of the site in terms of visitor numbers and facilities and make a determination as to the level, if any, of additional works required to ensure its successful operation.
The total spend to the end of November 2001 on the works to Maynooth Castle is £1,013,291.36. As indicated previously, I am satisfied that the project undertaken can be completed within the available budget of £1.5 million.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:126 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the extent to which she proposes to undertake or fund restoration works at heritage houses or similar projects in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32132/01]
In general, my Department does not directly provide financial support for the restoration of buildings in private ownership. However, one source of public funds for such projects is the Heritage Council, which has powers to provide advice and assistance, including financial assistance, on the protection, preservation and promotion of the physical heritage. It should be noted that, although my Department funds the Heritage Council, it is an independent statutory body established under the Heritage Act, 1995, and I have no function in any decisions by it regarding the disbursal of grants.
In addition, the Deputy will be aware that as part of a package jointly launched by me and my colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, a grant scheme for the conservation of protected buildings is being administered by local authorities. All inquiries relating to this scheme should be directed to the relevant local authority, Kildare County Council in this instance.
The owner or occupier of a building determined by me to be a building which is intrinsically of significant scientific, historical, architectural or aesthetic interest, and which is determined by the Revenue Commissioners to be a building to which reasonable access is afforded to the public, can apply under section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, for relief in respect of expenditure incurred in the repair, maintenance or restoration of the building. Ultimately, the decision to allow tax relief in respect of an approved building is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
The Deputy is no doubt aware that last year I launched my strategy under the national development plan for the continued conservation and protection, in the period up to 2006, of the sizeable portfolio of more than 740 national monuments and historic properties in the care of Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department. Having conducted a detailed review of the properties under my control, in excess of 100 sites have been identified which will require major work from either a conservation, protection or presentation point of view during the above period. To this end, I have agreed to provide funding in excess of £65 million to allow this essential work to be undertaken over a six-year period.
I assure the Deputy that, notwithstanding the substantial funding which I have already allocated to the Castletown House project to date, I have ensured that it will benefit further from the funds allocated to me under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. There is a wide range of works yet to be undertaken including restoration, provision of improved visitor reception facilities, parking and works to the grounds and outbuildings. It is intended to carry out these works on a phased basis.
While it is neither feasible nor desirable for the State to control all heritage properties, I am conscious of the need to support the protection of the heritage not in State care. The national heritage plan, which will be published next year, will outline the future approach to the protection of heritage properties in private ownership. This will include the use of the Planning and Development Acts, the completion of surveys such as the national inventory of architectural heritage and increased levels of training in skills and craft areas, which are crucial to the protection of heritage in private ownership.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:127 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has received communication from outside agencies regarding the future of Donadea Castle and buildings in County Kildare; if she has issued instructions in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32133/01]
I refer to my replies of 8 November 2001 to Parliamentary Question No. 152, 5 July 2001 to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 259 and 260, 29 May 2001 to Parliamentary Question No. 332, 11 April 2001 to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 191 and 192 and 21 February 2001 to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 138 and 139. The position remains as outlined on those occasions.