Emmet Stagg
Ceist:130 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the plans, if any, his Department have to upgrade our heritage attractions in the nineties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Heritage Attractions
The heritage properties in the care of the Office of Public Works are maintained to a high standard and benefit from ongoing investment. The list of the major projects in progress, or planned for heritage properties over the next couple of years is very extensive and I am circulating a copy in the Official Report.
The Office of Public Works are also at present assessing their programme for a further five year investment programme, commencing in 1994. This programme will not be finalised until the level of funding, from Exchequer and EC sources, is finalised. If the Deputy is concerned about any particular project he might contact me separately about the matter.
List of Projects at Heritage Properties.
The following are details of the major projects currently underway or planned:
National Monuments
Portumna Castle
The castle and the gatehouse are being restored. It is proposed to open the castle to visitors in 1993 when a guide service will be provided. Visitor facilities, including interpretation will be provided.
Clonmacnoise
A new visitor and information centre is being built. It is proposed to open it to visitors in 1993.
Roscrea Castle
Restoration works are being carried out and visitor facilities improved. It is expected that the projects will be completed in 1993.
Ardfert Cathedral, County Kerry
The south transept is to be restored and will serve as a visitor reception facility. An archaeological excavation is nearing completion and the restoration works will commence this summer with a view to opening to the public in 1993.
Ross Castle, Killarney
The entire castle is being restored and three floors will be open to visitors. A guide service and interpretative material will be provided and it will be open to the public in 1993.
Athenry Castle, County Galway
The main keep of the castle is being restored and entrance gatehouse provided. It will be open to the public in 1993.
Rathfarnham Castle
The castle is being restored for presentation to the public. Work on the major roof repairs and demolition of the modern wings has been completed. Restoration of internal ceiling plasterwork has commenced.
Tara
The church which is no longer used for religious services was purchased and is being adapted for use as a visitor reception/interpretative centre. It will be open in summer 1992.
Boyne Valley
A new visitor centre, including car-parking, footbridge and ancillary services is being provided. Work will commence this year and be completed, hopefully, by the end of 1993. This scheme also includes work at Newgrange (completed 1992) and Knowth. The first stage of work at Knowth was completed last year and a large portion of the site opened to the public.
Donegal Castle
Restoration works are in progress. It is not expected that the castle will be opened to visitors until 1994.
St. Audeon's, Dublin
Restoration work, including the provision of visitor facilities, are ongoing and will be completed in 1994.
Céide Fields, County Mayo
A new visitor centre is under construction and should be ready for opening in 1993 when full visitor services will be provided.
Scattery Island
A new visitor centre is being built at Kilrush Marina, County Clare, and it will be completed before the summer.
Corlea Bog, County Longford
A new visitor centre will be provided by 1993 to interpret the ancient wooden trackway running across the bog.
Major conservation works have been carried out on the bog and the preservation of the timber trackway is underway.
Newmills, County Donegal
Major restoration is being carried out on this important corn and flax mill. New visitor facilities are included in the development. It is hoped to have the work completed by 1994.
Historic properties
Phoenix Park
The ongoing programme of maintenance and restoration will continue into the nineties. Major projects currently underway include the provision of a new visitor centre in the Ashtown Demesne which will be open to the public this year.
Derrynane House
A major development project involving the provision of new visitor facilities was completed in 1991. Restoration of Daniel O'Connell's coach should be completed in 1992 and it will then be put on display at the house.
Garinish Island
A new shelter will be erected in the coming weeks to protect visitors from the elements while awaiting transport from the island.
St. Stephen's Green Park
A new garden for the blind will be completed shortly.
An Blascaod Mór
Work on the provision of a new visitor centre will commence shortly. It is proposed to have the centre ready for opening in 1993.
Kilkenny Castle
A major restoration of the parade wing is due to commence shortly. These works will be completed in 1993 when a large additional area of the castle will be opened to the public.
St. Enda's Rathfarnham
The walled garden is at present being restored and landscaped. These works will finish this year. Plans are also underway to refurbish the main buildings.
Iveagh Gardens
A major restoration of these gardens has commenced and the gardens will be opened to the public in 1992. The restoration of the gardens will continue in the nineties so that they are returned to their original state.
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Burren
Provision of visitor centre. The EIS has been published and is available for public comment. It would be premature at this stage to comment on the project pending the public's response.
Wicklow
Provision of visitor centre. The EIS for Wicklow determined that the project would not have a significant impact on the environment. This was accepted by the planning authority and I believe that the scheme should now proceed. Work would be completed in 1993.
Connemara National Park
The extension of the visitor centre and improvements to park interpretation will be finished by April 1992.
Coole Park Nature Reserve
The provision of a visitor centre will be completed by May 1992.
Dromore Nature Reserve
The provision of a visitor centre will be finished by April 1992.
Glengarriff Nature Reserve
The car parks are completed. The visitor centre is at planning stage.
Glenveagh National Park
Improvements to the interpretation and visitor facilities generally will be completed in 1993.
Waterways
Royal Canal
The canal has been restored to navigation between Blanchardstown and Mullingar. The restoration of the stretches between Blanchardstown and the River Liffey will be completed within the next year. Substantial progress is also being made west of Mullingar, with most of the channel now dredged as far as County Longford.
Grand Canal
The canal, including the Barrow navigation, is already navigable. The emphasis on this canal is the repair of embankments generally and the improvement of water supplies.
A national waterways visitors' centre is being built in the Grand Canal Docks, Ringsend.
There is also under way an extensive fish stocking programme which will develop both canals over the next few years as top class fisheries.
Ecological surveys have been carried out on both canals to identify and preserve worthwhile botanical features and to ensure that their potential as corridors of nature is fully realised. The development of long distance walking routes will also be an important part of this programme.
Shannon Navigation
1. It is our intention to provide additional mooring facilities at a number of points along the navigation and to maintain the existing ones to a very high standard. New works are now in progress at Terryglass (Lough Derg) where the existing pier is being substantially extended and Banagher where the harbour is being enlarged.
2. Work is about to commence on the restoration of that part of Lough Allen Canal giving access to Lough Allen and some work has already been done to the River Suck extension to Ballinasloe. It is hoped to complete the remainder of the work over the coming two years.
3. On the Erne navigation rock shoals near Belturbet will be removed and the short channel known as the "Foalies Cut" will be deepened facilitating the passage of vessels to Belturbet.
4. A preliminary examination of the extension of the Erne system as far as Killeshandra had already been carried out. It is planned to make a more detailed study of the proposal to enable the Commissioners prepare an acceptable scheme of works.
5. The Shannon Erne Navigation is programmed for completion in mid to late 1993. As soon as the contractors have fulfilled their contractual obligations the waterway will be operated and maintained by the Commissioners.
6. It is proposed to introduce new bylaws for the control and management of the navigation system in time for the commencement of the new boating season.
The Office of Public Works have commissioned a study by external consultants to report and advise on other waterways which have the potential for development or restoration and which could be included in the network of inland waterways. It is hoped that the report which is at present being considered by the Minister for Finance will form the basis for planning and development over the next ten to 15 years.
Other Projects
National Museum
A programme of refurbishment of the roof of the National Museum, Kildare Street, which is expected to commence later this year, will be completed in 1993.
National Library
Works are nearing completion on the provision of an exhibition room, lecture room and micro-form reading room in the National Library. These works form part of a larger refurbishment programme of works within the library complex.
National Gallery
A major refurbishment programme, concentrating on the 1968 wing of the National Gallery, involving some one third of the exhibition space in the gallery, is at an advanced stage of preparation. Those works should take some two years to complete.
Custom House
The landscaping of the grounds of the Custom House are nearing completion. This together with the major stonework restoration project completes the external upgrading of this prestigious landmark.
Botanic Gardens (Curvilinear Range)
A programme of works to faithfully restore the Turner Glasshouses in the Botanic Gardens, utilising original materials while updating facilities for public and staff alike, is expected to commence later this year and take some 18 months to complete.