Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Finance the expenditure to date and planned expenditure on the Steward's House, Phoenix Park, Dublin, including purchase price of the house and any renovations and other works carried out since purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7453/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide the schedule, with an estimated current value, of art work, furniture and any other fixtures and fittings, which are to be used in the Steward's House, Phoenix Park, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7454/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Finance the expenditure and the nature of the expenditure on the gardens, security system and outhouses at the Steward's House, Phoenix Park, Dublin, since it was purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7455/06]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 to 222, inclusive, together.

Work on the refurbishment of the Steward's House at Farmleigh to further enhance the guest facilities on the estate is now complete. The purpose of the refurbishment is to provide an additional guest accommodation facility as part of the overall Farmleigh complex but separate from the main house.

The Steward's House is an integral part of the Farmleigh Estate and it was included as part of the purchase of Farmleigh by the State in 1999. Much of the renovation work was done directly by the building maintenance service of the Office of Public Works as part of its ongoing programme of works. External contracts directly associated with the renovation work total €568,076 inclusive of VAT. In addition, direct landscaping contracts came to €30,748 inclusive of VAT.

Furniture and decorative elements are bought from time to time by the Office of Public Works and are used in various State buildings over their lifetime as will be the case in Steward's House. In addition, some of the Guinness collection of furniture on loan to Farmleigh will also be placed in the Steward's House. It is not possible therefore to provide the costed schedule as requested by the Deputy.

Security works carried out in Farmleigh from time to time relate to the entire estate. The cost of security works directly associated with the Steward's House refurbishment works would be relatively small in the context of the overall cost of such works.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to including a children's playground in Farmleigh; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Farmleigh is a popular destination for visits by families with young children, but there are no playground facilities at Farmleigh or at the northwest end of the Phoenix Park; his views on whether a playground located in the grounds of Farmleigh would offer an important amenity to residents in Dublin 15 and beyond in view of the enormous population living in the Dublin 15 area without in any way interfering with Farmleigh's other functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7459/06]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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Farmleigh House and estate is not considered to be an appropriate or suitable location for a children's playground for the local community given its nature and specific functions as a State residence for visiting dignitaries and as a venue for high level Government meetings and functions. The grounds and facilities of Farmleigh are made available for the use and enjoyment of the public to the greatest extent possible under its successful public access programme which includes activities specifically for children. In itself this represents a considerable amenity for the community of Dublin 15. However, necessary security restrictions during official use of Farmleigh means that the estate cannot be open for public use seven days a week. It is sometimes necessary also to close the estate and house to the public at short notice. In these circumstances, it would not serve the interests of the local community nor would it represent good value for money to devote resources to developing a children's playground at Farmleigh as a community amenity when access to that facility by the local community may be restricted to a significant extent and in an unpredictable manner.

The possibility of developing a second play area for children located at the northwest end of the Phoenix Park, is at present being examined by the Commissioners of Public Works.