Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 1

Written Answers - Departmental Properties.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

260 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if her Department will accept the full costs of the provision of a central heating system for a house owned by her Department at the Lock, Graiguecullen, Carlow, in view of the fact that the occupants are old age pensioners and unable to make a contribution having experienced severe hardship due to the flooding of their home and property; the plans, if any, she has in relation to the preservation and renovation of this Georgian property; if her Department will accept the costs of temporary re-housing and accommodation caused when the occupants had to re-locate due to flooding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3526/99]

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

My Department has agreed to meet the cost of materials for the provision of a central heating system in the house to be installed by the occupants. Having regard to the conditions under which the occupants continue to reside in the house, this is considered to be a reasonable arrangement. My Department has no other plans at present in relation to the renovation of the house. As the flooding of the house was beyond the control of my Department, it is not possible to accept liability for any costs incurred by the occupants as referred to by the Deputy.