Vol. 523 No. 2
184 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the action she will take to protect Donadea Castle and buildings at Donadea Forest Park, County Kildare, notwithstanding the fact that the property is in the ownership of Coillte Teoranta; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of local residents regarding the future of the castle and its environs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20819/00]
185 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has received any requests for the restoration of Donadea Castle, County Kildare, and its environs; the nature of such requests; her response in this regard; her plans to retain the structures which are of cultural and heritage value for the enjoyment of future generations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20820/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.
As the Deputy is aware, Donadea Castle is a recorded national monument and therefore is afforded legal protection under the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994. Under section 12(3) of this Act, the owner or occupier must give two months written notice to my Department of any proposals to carry out work at this site.
The castle is not in State ownership and consequently my Department has no plans for its restoration.
186 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans she has for the preservation of houses or buildings of cultural or architectural value which are privately owned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20821/00]
The national heritage plan, which is currently being prepared by my Department, will outline the future approach to the protection of heritage properties in private ownership. This approach will include the use of the planning and development Acts, the completion of surveys such as the national inventory of architectural heritage and increased levels of training in skills and craft areas which are crucial to the protection of heritage in private ownership.
I might point out that owners of heritage properties may receive assistance under the conservation grants scheme announced last year by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government and also under the provisions of the Finance Act in respect of maintenance works carried out to heritage properties which are open to the public.
187 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the full extent of moneys expended to date on the restoration of Geraldine Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare; if progress is in accord with anticipated works and outlay; the full extent of the remaining works; the likely cost in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20822/00]
Work on the restoration of ground and first floors at Maynooth Castle is proceeding and I expect the project, including the provision of exhibitions, to be completed towards the end of this year or early in 2001. The priority once this is complete will be the provision of toilet facilities for both the general public and any guides who may be based at the site once it is open to the public. Officials of my Department are to meet in the near future with representatives of the Maynooth College authorities to try and determine an appropriate location for these facilities. Provision of toilet facilities is essential if the castle is to open to the public in summer of 2001.
The total investment for these projects is estimated at £1.5 million, of which £234,215 was expended to the end of August 2000, and this heritage site will be extensively marketed as part of the many heritage attractions managed by my Department.
188 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has advanced any plans for the restoration of the obelisk at Maynooth, County Kildare; the plans she has to advance this project in any way in the foreseeable future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20823/00]
The position regarding restoration works to the Conolly Folly remains as stated in my reply to Question No. 159 from the Deputy on 31 May last.
