Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

180. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on progress at Killarney House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1954/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Work has commenced on the final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works for Killarney House and I was very pleased to be present at the formal signing of the contract on 30 December. The refurbished Killarney House, in its historic and beautiful setting, will function as a National Park Visitor Centre and will provide an added attraction for visitors to the town.

The visitor centre project will contain three particular aspects. Firstly a newly built extension will house an interpretative centre for the National Park, explaining its significance and importance to the town and region including information on the major themes of the National park; mountain, wood, water and the human impact on the environment. Secondly, as part of the new build element, the provision of exhibition space will be included to cater for temporary exhibitions, displays and cultural events. Thirdly, a number of reception rooms on the ground floor of the original house will be reinstated to accommodate original furniture currently in storage.

The former Pleasure Grounds and Gardens immediately surrounding the House will also be restored in 2014, creating spectacular landscaped areas that will merge into the natural areas of the Park and which will provide vistas linking the town to the scenery of mountain, wood and water. This is a major project for my Department and involves collaboration with the Office of Public Works as project managers and Fáilte Ireland which has committed funding of €5.2 million to the project under its Tourism Investment Programme. A phased approach to the restoration has been adopted and the first two phases were required to safeguard the structural integrity and to create the optimal layout of the House in preparation for the full restoration works. Phase I was completed in 2012 and Phase II was completed in the spring of 2013.