Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works have a conservation plan for the Hore Abbey in Cashel as a Cistercian monastery central to the heritage of the town; when such a plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26844/08]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has a conservation plan for the Kilcooley Abbey in County Tipperary; when such a plan will be published; the action that should be undertaken for this heritage site to be adequately preserved if no such plan exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26861/08]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has a conservation plan for the Cahir Abbey in County Tipperary; when such a plan will be published; the action that should be undertaken for this heritage site to be adequately preserved if no such plan exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26864/08]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has a conservation plan for the Cashel Dominican Friary in Cashel, County Tipperary; when such a plan will be published; the action that should be undertaken for this heritage site to be adequately preserved if no such plan exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26868/08]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 164, 167, 169 and 171 together.

The Office of Public Works manages 750 national monuments that are in direct State care. Conservation plans are considered for national monuments that pose significant issues in the context of the overall preservation, presentation and management of the monument and where external factors may have a major impact on the site. Most national monuments do not require a formal conservation plan. Maintenance and conservation of monuments is achieved by way of an annual works programme devised by conservation architects of the Office of Public Works. Hore Abbey, Cashel Dominican Friary, Kilcooley Abbey and Cahir Abbey are included in this programme.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has plans to have renovation work undertaken at Ormonde Castle in County Tipperary; if a recent review of the building and its conservation needs has been drawn up; when such a plan will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26851/08]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public Works manages 750 national monuments that are in direct State care. Conservation plans are considered for national monuments that pose significant issues in the context of the overall preservation, presentation and management of the monument and where external factors may have a major impact on the site. Most national monuments do not require a formal conservation plan. Maintenance and conservation of monuments is achieved by way of an annual works programme devised by conservation architects of the Office of Public Works. That is the case for Ormonde Castle in County Tipperary. In 2008, my office will commence the universal access to the courtyard to include the upgrade of the courtyard surfaces. It is envisaged that, in 2009, conservation of the original Elizabethan plaster and extension of the stairs to attic level will be carried out.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has plans for renovation work for Cahir Castle in County Tipperary; if a recent review of the building and its conservation needs has been drawn up; when such a plan will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26852/08]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public Works has a conservation works programme for Cahir Castle that is continually reviewed. In addition to routine maintenance works, safety railings will be installed this year and masonry conservation works to the dungeon tower will be undertaken in 2009.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has a conservation plan for the Lorrha Abbey, St. Ruan's Abbey in Lorrha and the Lorrha Priory in County Tipperary; when such a plan will be published; the action that should be undertaken for this heritage site to be adequately preserved if no such plan exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26863/08]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public Works manages 750 national monuments that are in direct State care. Conservation plans are considered for national monuments that pose significant issues in the context of the overall preservation, presentation and management of the monument and where external factors may have a major impact on the site. Most national monuments do not require a formal conservation plan. Maintenance and conservation of monuments is achieved by way of an annual works programme devised by conservation architects of the Office of Public Works. In the case of St. Ruadhan's Abbey and the Dominican Friary at Lorrha, County Tipperary, conservation works are being carried out. Following a full archaeological excavation, conservation works are now in progress at St. Ruadhan's Church, Lorrha, County Tipperary.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has published the conservation plan scheduled for 2008 for Athassel Abbey in County Tipperary; when such a plan will be published in 2008; the action that should be undertaken for this heritage site to be adequately preserved if no such plan exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26865/08]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 205 of 30 January 2008. I will officially launch the conservation plan later this year.