Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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146. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for a site (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28953/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The OPW is currently undertaking major development and restoration projects at Annes Grove House and Gardens, Castletownroche, Co. Cork with the intention of opening the estate to the public in 2022, subject to necessary permissions and Covid-19 restrictions. As the scale of investment and works is substantial, the OPW plans to open the site on phased basis, beginning with the gardens of the estate.

Since the handover, the OPW has recognised that major investment would be required to restore the gardens, which contains an extensive botanical collection of international repute, and the estate to its former glory. The OPW has spent €2,117,138.77 from 2016 to date on major projects associated with the clearance, development and restoration of the gardens, provision of toilets, car parking and conservation of certain outbuildings on site. This initial phase of investment in capital works will conclude in 2022.

In addition to this budget for works, the OPW has allocated €392,000 annually to Annes Grove for operational expenditure, to cover items such as pay, machinery, general maintenance and operational goods and services.

The OPW also plans to continue to invest in infrastructure and visitor facilities to support the development and growth of Annes Grove into the future subject to the availability of funding. The OPW was awarded €375,000 in grant funding from the Rural Regeneration Development Fund ( to be matched by €125,000 from the OPW) to develop and bring to planning permission a scheme to refurbish the house, outbuildings and create a world-class visitor experience at Annes Grove to rival the very best existing sites throughout Ireland such as at Altamount or Derrynane. This project is currently ongoing and OPW intends to submit a planning application by the end of the year.