Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As I indicated previously to the Deputy in a question answered on 16 December last, the Commissioners of Public Works have a particular role in respect of the commemorations. This arises from the responsibility they have for the care and maintenance of national monuments and other heritage properties in State care. In many cases, these are iconic locations and important in the context of the forthcoming commemorations. The commissioners also have an operational role in respect of supporting the various planned official State commemoration events involving logistical support and organisation. This is derived from their long experience of similar events such as the national day of commemoration, the EU Presidency and so on. This will be an important element of the work of the OPW throughout 2016.

Full details of the Government programme in respect of 2016 are due to be announced shortly. I understand it will be next week. We will continue to supplement this calendar with other appropriate events added on an ongoing basis.

The major projects included in respect of the OPW are set out in the following table:

Site	Details
Kilmainham Gaol	Development of new visitor centre at the former Kilmainham Courthouse Refurbishment of Kilmainham Gaol museum and creation of a complete new gaol exhibition Restoration of the roof of the east wing at the gaol
St Enda's Museum, Rathfarnham	Completion of the programme of restoration of the 18th and 19th century follies dotted around the park which were used by Pearse in the staging of dramatic pageants Continuation of the rolling programme of exhibitions and events has been under way since approx 2010 at the Pearse museum and park at Rathfarnham Permanent exhibition on the life of P.H. Pearse in the exhibition area of the museum to be launched in 2016
Arbour Hill	Presentation works to the site (complete in 2015)
Garden of Remembrance	Universal Access works (complete in 2015) Conservation works at the Children of Lir statue (complete in 2015)
Pearse Cottage	Provision, by Údarás na Gaeltachta, of a new visitor facility and cultural centre at Pearse cottage site (which is managed by the OPW), including a new exhibition Programme of new universal access works at the Pearse cottage
Mac Dhiarmada Homestead	Major structural, roof renewal and thatching project in 2013 Leitrim County Council are planning the development of a car park at the Mac Dhiarmada site and the provision of a visitor facility in nearby Kiltyclogher (OPW will be supporting this with material, interpretation etc.)
National Concert Hall	A project to refurbish certain rooms and recital areas within the National Concert Hall including the Kevin Barry room and other areas (complete by end 2016)

The Government has provided a grant of €5 million to support the signature capital works development in Kilmainham Gaol. The project in the National Concert Hall has been allocated €5 million. In addition, the OPW estimates that approximately €1 million to €2 million from within the existing capital funding is being devoted to supplement this and to resource works at various other heritage locations. Funding is also being provided from other sources, including, for example, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which is providing support funding for the roof renewal project at Kilmainham Gaol's east wing.

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