Written answers
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
National Monuments
Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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80. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of national monuments undergoing conservation or repair work in County Kerry; the amount allocated for each; if the work in question is being completed within the budget allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22613/15]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The National Monuments Service of the OPW is responsible for the general maintenance of the 76 National Monuments in State care in Kerry. Within the course of the normal year, works will occur at a broad range of these sites as it is determined necessary following inspection and assessment. This involves attending to seasonal issues such as grasscutting, weed spraying and bramble removal, painting and whitewashing, small general repairs and preventive maintenance including issues associated with masonry, timberwork, roofs etc. It also involves servicing the Guided Visitor sites in the District, including 4 in Co. Kerry (Ardfert Cathedral, Skellig Michael, Listowel Castle and Ross Castle), ensuring that they have adequate supplies, maintaining access, signage, fencing etc to required standards and responding to requests to repair damage and address general visitor wear and tear issues.
In general terms, these works are intended to consolidate National Monument structures in place and, where appropriate and feasible, to carry out limited conservation works to enhance the historic value and the preservation of the site. Given the antiquity of the fabric in the portfolio, a considerable amount of effort is required overall to maintain Monuments in a structurally-stable condition and this consideration demands a significant amount of ongoing effort, often continuing over a period of years.
The 2015 Business Plan for the National Monuments Service of the OPW identifies a number of specific proposed works in the Kerry area scheduled to be carried out during the year by staff attached to the National Monuments Depot in Killarney and relevant sub depots around the county. The works listed are as follows:
| Site | Proposed Works |
|---|---|
| Ballymalis Castle | Repair & conservation of North and West Walls. Some structural elements. Ground floor and first floor, internally and externally to be completed this year. Long-term project to conserve entire castle. |
| Ballinskelligs Abbey, Iveragh Peninsula | Completion of conservation works to refectory. Works to cloister elements. Minor holding works to earlier structures. |
| Skellig Michael | Lower Lighthouse Road retaining walls Continuing of repairs/ consolidation Advance planning for provision of public toilet |
| Rattoo Round Tower | Conservation & repair of round tower - currently working on exterior; interior will follow. Reinstallation of lightning conductor. |
| Minor Projects | |
| Church Island Church, Lough Currane, Iveragh Peninsula | Conservation of West Doorway Areas for re-pointing. Stabilisation of West Gable |
| St. Brendans Oratory, Kilmalkeadar, Dingle Peninsula | Repair of south lateral wall to dry-stone oratory following structural failure |
| Ardfert Cathedral | Re-instatement of graves of locals after the removal of burials from the cathedral during works. |
| Church Island, Valentia Harbour | Installation of landing hoops. |
| Illaunloughan | Reinforcement of eroded coastline to protect structures |
| Illauntannig | Reinforcement of eroded coastline to protect site and archaeology Erection of protective fence. |
| Emlagh East Ogham Stone | Minor works as deemed necessary to protect from coastal erosion. |
| Cloghanecarhan | Minor works planned to protect from animal damage. |
| Ross Castle | Minor works associated with air quality Proposed changes to accessible toilet |
Given the nature of ancient National Monument structures, particularly those of greater antiquity and fragility, it is rarely feasible to determine precisely in advance what the works or maintenance requirements will be or how much funds will be required to address them. The overall provision for National Monuments in State care in 2015 is €15.145m (including pay) of which approximately €2.44m is estimated to cover Monuments in the Killarney District which covers counties Kerry, Limerick and part of Cork. At this stage in 2015, it is estimated that the provision for National Monuments within the Vote will be adequate to meet the needs arising.
Within the overall provision for National Monuments, the OPW manages any potential unforeseen emergency works which may arise, as for example, happened in 2013/14 when Dunbeg Fort was extensively damaged by winter storms.
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