National Monuments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020

Tuesday, 21 July 2020

Ceisteanna (34)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

34. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expenditure and maintenance by the OPW of the Monkstown Castle (details supplied). [16983/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Monkstown Castle is a National Monument in the ownership of the State and under the management of the Office of Public Works. Located in south County Dublin, it is considered that the structure is in good condition. Maintenance is undertaken by the direct workforce from the Trim National Monuments Depot.

Apart from conservation works that might be required from time to time at sites, the bulk of Depot activity, such as that at carried out at Monkstown Castle, consists of general light maintenance. This would include grass cutting, removal of weed growth and clearing of any litter or other debris. This type of activity constitutes a considerable percentage of the work undertaken by the Depot. As such, the cost per site involved is recorded as an overall cost and not on a site-by-site basis. Regrettably, the Office of Public Works is not in a position to provide the information requested.