Vol. 528 No. 3
211 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of heritage houses, buildings, lands or sites in County Kildare which are protected; the number in public ownership; the number in private ownership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30337/00]
212 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of heritage houses or sites in County Kildare to which the public have access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30338/00]
213 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of heritage houses, buildings, sites and others in County Kildare which are in need of improvement, refurbishment or protection; her plans to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30339/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 to 213, inclusive, together.
214 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the position in relation to the restoration of the Geraldine Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare; if the project is in line with budgetary projections; if she has satisfied herself regarding the adequacy of the funding for Phase 2 of the programme; when the works to be completed in accordance with original plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30340/00]
Good progress is being made on the restoration of Maynooth Castle. The priority for 2001 is to have work on the restoration of the ground and first floors completed.
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 require to ensure its successful operation. At that stage a decision will be made as to a budget allocation for Phase 2.
As you are aware the estimated cost of the project is £1.3 million and the expenditure on this project in 2000 is likely to be in the region of £623,000 and the balance will be incurred in 2001.
215 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will have further discussions with her ministerial colleagues in relation to the future of Donadea Forest Park, County Kildare; if she has any plans regarding the future use of the house and building thereat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30341/00]
216 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will contemplate the acquisition of Donadea Forest Park, County Kildare for use in the context of the development of the historical and cultural aspects of the property for educational, tourism and leisure purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30342/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply of 4 Deireadh Fómhair 2000, Parliamentary Questions Nos. 184 and 185, and previous replies on this subject. The position remains as outlined on that occasion.
217 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of heritage houses or buildings throughout the country in respect of which restoration or refurbishment works are in progress; the number of such buildings deemed to be in need of restoration or improvement works, but in respect of which work has not yet started; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30343/00]
218 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her proposals to approve or instigate, improvement or refurbishment works at houses, buildings or sites of historical, cultural or educational interest in County Kildare other than those in respect of which works are already in progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30344/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.
The following are the built heritage sites under the care of my Department in County Kildare at which work is either under way or where work will commence under the national development plan: Castletown House, Jigginstown House, Grange Castle, Moone High Cross, Maynooth Castle.
No information is available to my Department regarding ongoing or proposed work at sites which are not under my care.
