Vol. 483 No. 6
327 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, her Department have to restore and maintain the Dolmen sites in County Carlow; and the funds, if any, which will be made available to ensure the protection of these historical sites. [20916/97]
Dolmens in the care of the National Monuments and Historic Properties Service of my Department in County Carlow have been, and will continue to be, conserved and maintained and the necessary funds for this work are provided in the normal way in subhead V of my Department's Vote. There are no plans at present to carry out restoration works at the sites in question.
328 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, there are within her Department to restore and develop the historical site of Carlow Castle, Graiguecullen, County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20917/97]
While it is the intention of the National Monuments and Historic Properties Service of my Department to conserve Carlow Castle, landscape the area adjoining it and provide information panels, such works can only be considered when existing commitments under the EU Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99 have been met. There are no plans at present to carry out restoration works at the castle.
