Vol. 520 No. 2
154 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, to encourage the restoration and preservation of heritage houses and buildings throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15599/00]
The primary responsibility for the protection of the architectural heri tage rests with the local authorities who now have considerable powers to protect any buildings listed by them. In addition, they also are responsible for the allocation of £4 million per annum for a conservation grant scheme for architecturally important buildings. These mechanisms are important for the protection of heritage buildings throughout the country and I assist this work by offering an expert advisory service to the local authorities.
There are other initiatives which also assist in the protection and restoration of heritage buildings. The owner or occupier of a building which is intrinsically of significant scientific, historical, architectural or aesthetic interest, and which is determined by the Revenue Commissioners to be a building to which reasonable access is afforded to the public, can apply under section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, for relief in respect of expenditure incurred in the repair, maintenance or restoration of the building.
The Heritage 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, it is an independent statutory body established under the Heritage Act, 1995, and I have no function in relation to any decisions by it regarding the disbursal of grants.
My Department protects, manages and presents over 700 monuments and heritage buildings in State ownership and I am committed to ongoing conservation works to that portfolio.
155 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number and location of heritage projects currently in hand throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15600/00]
My Department is carrying out a large number of projects at heritage sites throughout the country. Some of the works are of a minor nature as part of an ongoing maintenance programme at 700 monuments in State care. Others are significant and I will arrange to have the details of these forwarded to the Deputy in the near future.
In addition, the Deputy will be aware that the Heritage Council, which is a statutorily independent body established under the Heritage Act, 1995, also provides assistance for heritage projects. Details of such assistance is contained in the annual reports of the council, which are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
156 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the extent, if any, to which excavation of historical sites is in hand or planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15601/00]
My Department, in accordance with the provisions of section 26 of the National Monuments Act, 1930, as amended, has issued 350 new archaeological licences since the beginning of this year. This means that approximately 450 sites would have been investigated to date, by private sector archaeologists, under new licences or under licences continuing from 1999.
Among the ongoing public sector excavations, conducted under the auspices of my Department, are Barryscourt Castle, County Cork and Skellig Michael, County Kerry and Drumfad Lower, Portsalon, County Donegal.
Minor monitoring and test excavation will take place at Dunmore Caves, County Kilkenny and the War House, County Tipperary and, of course, rescue excavations occur throughout the year as the need arises.
There are normally five or six research excavations dealing with specific sites of interest throughout the Republic, funded by the Government and administered by my Department on the advice of the national committee for archaeology of the Royal Irish Academy.
157 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of ancient forts which it is proposed to develop for educational or tourist interests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15602/00]
Heritage sites which are maintained and presented by Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, include national monuments, houses of architectural and historical significance, nature reserves and parks. It is not the practice to categorise national monuments as ancient forts. At present a guide information service is provided at 67 State-maintained heritage sites. In 1999 a total of 2.3 million fee-paying visitors were attracted to the 58 sites where an admission fee is charged while very many more visited those where no fee is charged. I have arranged for free admission for school tours to heritage sites. It is intended to develop further State-maintained heritage sites in the context of the national development plan and priorities for such development are being determined at present. New or enhanced visitor centres will be provided at some sites while interpretative panels will be provided at many more to assist in the understanding of the site by the visitor.
158 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the extent and costs of the works to date in the restoration of the Geraldine Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare; when it is expected the next stage of the restoration works will proceed; the extent and cost of any such works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15603/00]
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 sum of £198,584 has been spent on the project up to date. A budget of £1.0 million has been allocated to this scheme.
The remaining phase of the restoration will have to be considered in light of resources available to my Department in 2001 when the first phase is completed.
159 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the structural condition of Connolly's Folly at Maynooth, County Kildare which has deteriorated; her plans to protect and restore the structure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15604/00]
The condition of the Connolly Folly has been closely monitored by my Department since the folly came into State care and basic improvement works including fencing have already been undertaken.
It is apparent from a detailed survey which has been carried out that some restoration works are required. However, as already stated on a number of occasions, my Department's priority for the present time must be the restoration programme for Castletown House itself.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the Connolly Folly is not being neglected and restoration works will be undertaken in due course as resources permit.
