I am glad to inform the Deputy that the Office of Public Works on behalf of my Department has placed a contract for the first phase of restoration works to Maynooth Castle. The contractor should commence work on site in February with a view to completion by the end of the year.
This first phase of the project is a stand-alone scheme, which involves development of the ground floor vaulted areas for exhibition purposes together with access to the first floor and provision of small-scale guide and visitor facilities.
The estimated cost of the first phase of the project has now risen to £1.3 million based on tenders received. A total of £110,000 was spent up to end 1999 and expenditure in the current year is expected to be £1.1 million.
The remaining phase of the restoration will have to be considered in light of available resources available to my Department.