Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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159. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the financial contribution the Office of Public Works has made to a trust (details supplied) over each of the past five years and to date in 2018; the detail of the agreement between the OPW and the trust with regard to its offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38746/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) makes no financial contribution to the Galway Civic Trust (Dúchas na Gaillimhe).

The Custom House in Galway encompasses an important archaeological site - the remains of the Hall of the 14^thCentury Red Earl’s Castle - which is located in the foyer of the building.

The OPW made a significant investment in the restoration of the Hall of the Red Earl in recent years but did not have the resources to have it opened to the public. The OPW entered into an agreement with the Galway Civic Trust (Dúchas na Gaillimhe) to provide them with some accommodation on the ground floor of the Custom House, in return for facilitating public access to the Hall of the Red Earl.