Vol. 536 No. 4
186 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when it is hoped that the acquisition of a building (details supplied) in County Carlow by Dúchas will be finalised; when access will be available to the public; and when refurbishment of the building is likely to commence. [14361/01]
The necessary legal process transferring ownership of the property to my Department is being undertaken.
In the meantime, my Department has facilitated public access to the gardens during the main visitor season, i.e. April to September, over the past two years. The plan this year was to open the gardens to the public on weekdays and to pre-booked coach tours at weekends. However this plan has been delayed by the foot and mouth precautions as access is through a working farm there with susceptible animals, which is run by a private tenant. My Department is most anxious to open the gardens to the public as soon as possible and is currently preparing a plan to fence off the cattle from possible contact with visitors. The Department will be seeking the agreement of the farmer to this plan as soon as possible.
A programme of works has already been undertaken in relation to visitor access to the gardens and preliminary surveys have been carried out with regard to the house and outbuildings. Given the fact that State ownership has not yet been finalised and that major refurbishment works would require substantial capital funding, I am not in a position to indicate either the extent or timing of works that may be undertaken.
