Vol. 527 No. 5
195 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if phase 2 of the restoration project to Maynooth Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare, will proceed in 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29179/00]
The priority for 2001 is to have work on the restoration of the ground and first floors at Maynooth Castle completed. Once this work has been completed the focus will switch to the provision of toilet facilities for both the public and any staff who may be based at the site, facilities which are essential for the successful operation of a site of this nature.
To coincide with the completion of the work, I have just outlined the site will be extensively marketed as part of the many heritage attractions managed by my Department. Once the castle is open to the public in the second half of 2001 my Department will then be in a position to assess the needs of the site in terms of visitor numbers and facilities and make a determination as to the level, if any, of additional works required to ensure its successful operation.
