Vol. 490 No. 6
91 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the extent to which her Department, either directly or through the Heritage Council, supports heritage houses and smaller museums throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10948/98]
In general, my Department does not directly provide financial support for heritage houses and smaller museums throughout the country. The main source of public funds for heritage projects is the Heritage Council, which is a statutory, autonomous body. The council has powers to provide advice and assistance, including financial assistance in relation to the protection, preservation and promotion of the physical heritage. It should be noted that, although my Department funds the Heritage Council, I have no function in relation to decisions by it on the disbursal of grants.
While my Department is committed to the development of a local museum's policy this has not extended to date to funding such museums directly other than, occasionally, by the provision of capital funding on a once-off basis. Such funding as is currently available to me in the museums sphere is earmarked for the collecting institutions under my direct aegis. However, in the broader context of the relationship between these institutions and other museums there are a number of important indirect supports, such as the provision of curatorial advice and arrangements for long-term loans of heritage objects.
92 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the extent of the proposed restoration works at Castletown House, Celbridge, County Kildare; when it is expected that the works will be completed; the total expenditure involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10949/98]
The position regarding the restoration works to Castletown House remains as stated in my reply to a similar question from the Deputy on 11 March last — Question No. 30 of that date.
93 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when it is expected that restoration work at the Geraldine Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare is likely to be completed; the total proposed expenditure; the degree to which this expenditure and the restoration work involved are likely to meet requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10950/98]
A planning application has already been lodged with Kildare County Council seeking permission to undertake restoration works at Maynooth Castle. These works include the reroofing of the keep, the provision of exhibition and visitor facilities and the presentation of the monument for public access in a form that maintains the landscape setting of the castle ruins. The total estimated cost of these works is £1.5 million and subject to receipt of planning permission it is planned to have them carried out later this year and 1999. Any further development works in the context of the development plan, drawn up by a team of consultants in consultation with local interests, would have to be considered after this period and would have to be subject to additional funding becoming available.
