Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 4

Written Answers. - Operational Programme for Tourism.

Michael P. Kitt

Ceist:

278 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when the £200,000 promised for improvement works at Kilmacduagh cemetery, Gort, County Galway, will be granted; if this funding will include public toilets at Glebe House or at the bishop's residence, repair to walls, walks and roads in the cemetery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14291/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

Following a recent review of the EU Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-99 it will not now be possible to proceed with the proposal to re-roof Glebe House and provide visitor facilities at Kilmacduagh. Unfortunately it has not proved possible to advance this project for a number of reasons, including lack of progress in certain necessary land acquisitions and an important complementary local initiative regarding ancillary works within the graveyard. I understand that details of these works have yet to be agreed between Galway County Council and a local group.

My Department is constrained from commencing and projects which cannot be completed within the lifetime of this Operational Programme and the circumstances are such that the Kilmacduagh project could not be completed within the required time frame. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate to expend public funds on new visitor facilities for a national monument in circumstances where the question of safe and guaranteed visitor access to the monument has not been resolved.

I recently met a deputation to discuss this matter. Based on the information I received from them, I would hope to be in a position to accommodate this project from funds available to me after 1999, assuming all outstanding matters regarding safe and guaranteed visitor access have been resolved.