Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am extremely happy to try to debunk the myth about State art. Frankly, matters in this regard have become silly. There is no view within the OPW that anybody went off with a load of paintings in the back of his or her car. Let us be very clear on that point. However, there are lessons that need to be learned about the inventory of State art. We have adopted the necessary procedures. Any Deputy with an office in Leinster House or any public building is entitled to hang State art on the wall. There is a perception that such art is locked away in vaults, but that is not the case. It can be found in Garda stations, Intreo offices and Leinster House. Some of it could be hung in the Deputy's offices if he was so minded. As he is aware, there tends to be a significant churn of personnel in these Houses. Members lose their seats, while others are promoted and demoted. There are those who will leave pictures on the walls of their offices when they leave, while others will take them with them when they move offices. That is our understanding of what happens. However, 21 artworks remain listed on the OPW art asset register. These may have been moved to different office spaces within and outside Leinster House without the Superintendent's staff being notified. Several artworks have been located in other Departments or offices during inventory checks in recent years. The issue is not particular to Leinster House, although referencing the Parliament tends to make for a good media story on occasion. My officials had discussions with the Superintendent on this matter and he has agreed to circulate images of the unlocated works to assist the inventory process. During the summer months I expect my staff to dedicate a little more time to this matter in order that we might try to bring it to finality. There is no assertion on my behalf or that of the Office of Public Works that anybody ran off with the paintings in question. However, there are lessons to be learned. The OPW, as an agency, is eager to ensure State art is displayed. There are a number of peace initiatives, as part of which we take State art on tours, both North and South. We are very eager that State art be accessible, that it should not be locked away in vaults and that it should be displayed in public buildings. I am happy to debunk that myth.

A decision was taken by the Government that the OPW would directly contract work in order to assist in the delivery of schools. This was viewed as a speedier method of proceeding. The projects are directly contracted from us and I can supply the Deputy with the details.

As all Deputies will be aware, a number of Departments are involved in planning next year's commemorations. The lead Department is the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. It would be useful to provide the Deputy with an overview of the OPW's involvement in the process. As stated, Kilmainham Courthouse is going to be renovated and integrated into the Kilmainham Gaol visitor attraction. This is going to be of major benefit to what is one of our most popular and heavily visited tourism sites. Since taking up my position, one of the most common complaints I have heard is that, such is the level of demand, tourists are obliged to queue for lengthy periods to obtain access in Kilmainham. If not actually in Deputy Mary Lou McDonald's constituency, this attraction is located close enough for her to know it well. The idea is that a new visitor space and entrance will be created at the former Kilmainham Sessions Courthouse, which will greatly expand capacity and the value of the experience. The Government has made €5.5 million in funding available for this project, as one of the signature capital developments associated with the 2016 anniversary. There were 328,886 visitors to Kilmainham Gaol in 2014, 326,200 in 2013 and 310,910 in 2011. Urgent repair works have been undertaken to protect the fabric of the courthouse and prepare for the more significant works to be carried out by our property maintenance services which will be completed in quarter 1 of 2015 at a total approximate cost of €3 million. In addition to the courthouse project, the OPW is also undertaking work to adapt and refurbish the gaol museum, which is obviously also a key part of the visitor experience.

A restoration programme has been put in train at Glasnevin Cemetery. Works to be undertaken on memorials are funded from the general grant to the cemetery. Obviously, however, we provide any co-operation and assistance we can.

The Commissioners of Public Works have statutory responsibility under the National Monuments Act to undertake the care and maintenance of national monuments. There are a number of historic properties under the care of the OPW, including Kilmainham Gaol, Arbour Hill, the Garden of Remembrance, Pearse Cottage in County Galway for which significant funding has been provided, Dublin Castle and the Pearse Museum at St. Enda's Park in Rathfarnham. We will be fulfilling our statutory remit in protecting these properties. As the Deputy is aware, a new Cabinet sub-committee charged with dealing with this issue has been appointed and on which the OPW is represented.

I have an update for the Deputy on Intreo offices. The Government set the OPW and the Department of Social Protection a very ambitious target-----