Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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255. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of work currently being carried out at an Office of Public Works managed tourist attraction (details supplied) in County Donegal; when this work began; the reason it has not progressed in the past number of months; the date by which the work is due to finish; the cost of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30090/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has developed plans to provide improved pedestrian access from the Council owned car park linking the existing paths to the Grianan of Aileach.

These works commenced last October and were carried out by the OPW's direct labour force but were suspended during the winter as weather conditions made progress impossible.

In this instance, the entire hill is archaeologically sensitive, no ground disturbance could be allowed so the path consists of a membrane laid over the thick layer of heather/sod, and then stone work put in place to support a final layer of decking. Due to the soft nature of the surface, a considerable period had to be allowed for settlement to reduce the risk of subsidence when the final surface was laid, with the OPW labour resources deployed to other projects in the meantime.

It is proposed that the final phase of the works – the laying of the surface will be carried out by a contractor with this procurement process to commence shortly, and so it is not possible to give a completion date for these works.

Costs incurred to date are not presently available but are being compiled and will be make available to the Deputy directly.