Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 229: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress that has been made in regard to the programme for Government commitment to advance the redevelopment of Glasnevin cemetery as part of the preparations for the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47833/08]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In 2007, the Government allocated a grant to the Glasnevin Cemeteries Group to fund a significant programme of restoration works in Glasnevin Cemetery to be completed in time for the centenary of the 1916 Rising.

Works completed to date include: the relocation of the Sigerson Memorial; landscaping in the vicinity of the Round Tower and lighting of the base of this tower; cleaning of monuments close to the O'Connell Tower; cleaning of the Monaghan Chapel; replacement of railings around a number of monuments; provision of new foundations for headstones and reinstatement of damaged headstones. In addition, part of the ongoing work has been to remove many of the lower branches from the trees in order to provide better visibility for visitors to the cemetery. Removal of ivy from tree trunks and monuments has also been undertaken. The area at the eastern end of the cemetery has been grassed and the re-surfacing of the eight kilometres of paths has begun. Improvements to drainage have been made by sinking new man-holes into the century-old drains.