Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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132. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the budget that has been allocated for the enhancement and refurbishment of the Phoenix Park in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19765/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Commissioners of Public Works have allocated €550,000 for the enhancement and refurbishment of the Phoenix Park in 2018.

The Phoenix Park is the largest enclosed public city park in a major capital in Europe. Capital works are undertaken as needs arise and are funded separately from within the OPW Vote. Staffing and general maintenance costs are also funded separately from within the OPW Vote.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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133. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the budget that has been allocated for the visit of Pope Francis to the Phoenix Park in August 2018; the number of persons expected to visit the park; the preparatory work to be carried out to cater for the large crowds; the budget for restoring the park after the Pope's visit has ended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19766/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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It is not possible to provide a fully costed estimate for the visit of Pope Francis to the Phoenix Park in August this year as arrangements for the event have yet to be finalised.

It is expected that the number of people visiting the park that day will not exceed 600,000.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is undertaking preparatory works that will cater for the health, safety and welfare of those attending. These works will include the widening of gates (this will be a temporary measure – all gates will be restored to their existing positions after the event), the identification and lining of routes or pathways within the park, and the installation of welfare hubs, way-finding, security and stewarding facilities. A nationwide Traffic and Pedestrian Management Plan is currently under development to cater for the large crowds expected to attend, the details of which will be conveyed to the public through the Government Information Service in due course.

It is not expected that there will be any significant damage done to the park. The weather leading up to the event, and on the day itself, will have some bearing on this.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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134. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has examined the impact of the Papal visit to Ireland in 1979 on the Phoenix Park; the lessons learned by the OPW from restoration works that were carried out in the park; if it is planned to temporarily remove gates to the park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19767/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Commissioners of Public Works have considerable experience in management of large-scale events in the Phoenix Park. The OPW team is closely working with organisers, contractors and World Meeting of Families to ensure that the event is managed safely and that the park is restored to pristine condition as soon as possible after the event.

Given the scale of the event, it will be necessary to remove gates to the park to safely allow egress of the participants.