Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the twelve remaining horticultural staff in permanent employment maintaining the gardens at Mount Congreve Estate, County Waterford; if the Office of Public Works has plans to take part in the management of the estate gardens in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55274/12]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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In 1979 an agreement was reached between the State and Mr. Ambrose Congreve whereby, in exchange for tax concessions, Mr. Congreve placed his house and world-renowned gardens into a Trust with ownership of both passing to the Minister for Finance on the expiration of the Trust periods, the period for the gardens being 21 years after the passing of the late Mr. Congreve.

The Trust, which is known as the Mount Congreve Garden Trust, currently has three Trustees. The Commissioners of Public Works is one of the Trustees and the other two Trustees were appointed by Mr. Congreve. These latter Trustees are also representatives of Mr. Congreve's Estate which is known as the Congreve Foundation.

The Trust period for the Gardens will continue for a period of 21 years from the death of Mr. Congreve. During that period it will be the Trust, rather than the State, that will manage the Gardens. At present, the horticultural staff are employed by the Congreve Foundation. And not the Mount Congreve Garden Trust.

Discussions are ongoing between the Commissioners and the Congreve Foundation (the representatives of Mr. Congreve's Estate) on a number of matters related to the Trust. It is hoped that a comprehensive agreement will be reached shortly and the future of the horticultural staff will form a critical element of any such agreement.