Vol. 357 No. 4
asked the Minister for Finance the plans that have been formed for the group of preservation-listed 18th century houses at numbers 25-33 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2; and, in particular, the treatment that is proposed for the original internal and external features.
521.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will give details of the plans that have been formed for the group of preservation-listed 18th century houses at numbers 25 to 33 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2; and, in particular, the treatment that is proposed for original internal and external features.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 520 and 521 together. The houses in question, with the exception of number 30, are all held by the State. The Commissioners of Public Works are fully conscious of the architectural value of these impressive terraces which form part of one of the most important Georgian streets in Dublin. Consistent with their policy and proven record in the area of preservation and conservation of State buildings of historic, architectural or artistic interest, the commissioners are preparing plans for the restoration of these houses.
The schemes envisage, as far as is practicable, the faithful restoration of the houses both internally and externally together with the replacement or renewal of floors, eradication of rot, replacement of roofs, repair or replacement in Georgian style of such items as stairs, ceilings and fireplaces and the installation of modern appropriate services to provide good office accommodation. The commissioners are not in a position at present to indicate a precise timescale for the proposed schemes of works. They will form a large undertaking which will be carried out over the next few years.
