Vol. 521 No. 1
242 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when work will commence on the renovation of Listowel Castle, County Kerry, in view of the recent decision by An Bord Pleanála to allow planning to Dúchas to carry out the work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16648/00]
There are two elements to this project. The first involves construction of a staircase at the rear to allow public access to the upper floors. This will require the preparation of detailed working drawings by a structural engineer whose services are being sourced at present before going to tender. All going well, I hope to start these works later this year.
The second element of the work involves conservation works to the stonework. The conservation works are of a type normally carried out by direct labour, but the craft workers needed to do this work are not currently available within my Department. It will be necessary, therefore, to recruit a team of stonemasons and general operatives and advertisements inviting applications for these positions will be placed in newspapers in the near future. This work needs to be carried out concurrently with the access staircase. If a team of workers cannot be recruited, consideration will have to be given to going to tender for this element of the work also.
I point out to the Deputy, however, that it is uncertain at this stage whether such work would command any interest from suitable private building contractors while the additional costs involved could prove prohibitive. The matter will be reassessed in the light of responses to the advertisement.
