Vol. 549 No. 4
233 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she or her Department will fund the floodlighting of various historical buildings throughout County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7052/02]
As indicated in my reply to previous Questions on the matter of floodlighting of various sites in the Kildare region – Parliamentary Questions Nos. 266 and 267 of 5 July 2001, Parliamentary Question 147 of 8 November 2001 – because of pressures in relation to conservation works at sites in State care, the floodlighting of monuments is not a priority in the drawing up of work programmes or in the allocations of funds.
234 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the degree of deterioration of Connolly's Folly, Maynooth, County Kildare; her plans or proposals to deal with the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7053/02]
There is no evidence to substantiate the suggestion made by the Deputy in his Question and the position remains unchanged from that outlined in responses to a number of previous Questions by the Deputy on the same issue, the most recent of which is dated 12 December 2001, No. 124.
235 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the extent to which she and her Department propose to spend funds on the restoration, protection or improvement of historical houses, buildings or sites throughout County Kildare in 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7054/02]
Notwithstanding the substantial funding already allocated by my Department towards the restoration of Castletown House, Celbridge, a wide range of works remains yet to be undertaken on a phased basis including interior restoration, provision of improved visitor reception facilities, parking and works to the grounds and outbuildings. Under the current national development plan my Department has provided funding of €950,000 in total for this year in order to progress this programme of works. My Department has also made a provision of €127,000 under the national development plan for restoration and improvement works at Jigginstown House, while a further €76,506 has been made available for routine maintenance works at various other sites in the county
236 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her plans for the future in respect of Donadea Castle, Donadea, Naas, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7055/02]
I refer to my replies of 6 February 2002 – Parliamentary Question No. 170 12 December 2001 – Parliamentary Question No. 127, 8 November 2001 – Parliamentary Question No. 152, 5 July 2001 – Parliamentary Questions Nos. 259 and 260, 29 May 2001 – Parliamentary Question No. 332, 11 April 2001 – Parliamentary Questions Nos. 191 and 192 and 21 February 2001 – Parliamentary Questions Nos. 138 and 139. The position remains as outlined on those occasions.
237 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number and location of stately homes, castles or other such historical, architectural or cultural buildings throughout County Kildare; the extent to which these are protected; the buildings in public and private use; her plans to ensure ongoing availability and access in so far as is possible for tourism and educational purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7056/02]
Under the provisions of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1999, each planning authority shall for the purpose of protecting structures or parts of structures which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, include in its development plan a record of protected structures within its functional area. The number of structures that are so protected in County Kildare is a matter for the planning authorities there.
This legislation places a duty of care on the owners of protected structures and also gives planning authorities enhanced powers, not only to deal with development proposals affecting them, but also to safeguard their future. This is the proper framework for the protection of our architectural heritage.
The protection afforded under the Planning Acts covers both the interior and exterior of the protected structures and in the absence of a declaration from the planning authority, outlining any works which are exempted development, any future building works will require planning permission. Planning applications received by local authorities relating to any protected structure must be forwarded to my Department for observations. I believe that the strength of these provisions is sufficient to safeguard the architectural integrity of the protected structures in County Kildare.
