Written answers

Thursday, 23 September 2021

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Heritage Sites

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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19. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the future use of St. Laurence’s Gate, Drogheda; if costings and feasibility reports have been undertaken in respect of opening the landmark for public tours and so on to further encourage tourism into the town centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45495/21]

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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As indicated to the Deputy in a previous Parliamentary Reply, the Office of Public Works has facilitated limited, controlled access to St Laurence Gate in recent years, for community events such as the Fleadh and Art’s Festival. At these occasions, access was strictly ticketed due to the physical constraints within the monument and general health and safety concerns. Facilitating this access placed a considerable demand on resources, as Office of Public Works staff provided the stewarding within the monument on all of those occasions.

A substantial conservation project would be required to address the issues identified at St. Laurence's Gate, as per the recent Office of Public Works commissioned structural report which was widely shared with local public representatives. While these works have not been quantified in terms of cost The Office of Public Works do not, at present, have the resources to carry out this work. However, it should be noted that if the monument was to be opened to the public on a regular basis all elements highlighted in the Structural Report would need to be addressed.

As with all National Monuments in the State care, OPW will continue to monitor and carry out routine maintenance on this monument in line with legislative obligation.

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