Written answers

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

National Monuments

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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596. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the progress made to date with implementing the reports of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Moore Street recommendations as far as they pertain to matters under his control and of other Departments, with particular reference to the national monument on Moore Street; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2244/22]

Photo of Malcolm NoonanMalcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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In March 2021, €121,285,388 was allocated to Dublin City Council in respect of the North Inner City Concept Area 1 under Call 2 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The North Inner City project involves the regeneration and redevelopment of several areas of the north city that have experienced a degree of decline and dereliction over a number of years.  

The main objective of this project is to achieve long term sustainable regeneration around the redevelopment of various areas centred around the Fruit and Vegetable Market, Parnell Square and Mountjoy Square. Complementary projects include Moore Street Public Realm Renewal works with the intention of reactivating one of the most important trading streets in the city along with structural and restoration works to the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street.  Works to the national monument, which is in my ownership, will facilitate the protection and reuse of these historic buildings as an iconic heritage and visitor attraction in the form of a 1916 Commemorative Centre alongside the rejuvenation of the historic street.  The regeneration of the Moore Street Market and street is a matter for Dublin City Council and I am assured that an expert advisory group was appointed in this regard.

The Moore Street Advisory Group, recommended in its report to me last this year that the process embarked on by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the National Monuments Service of my Department to restore the national monument and open it up to the public as soon as possible should continue. Officials from both my Department and the OPW have been liaising to progress this.  I understand that the OPW are in the process of appointing a team to carry out phase 1 essential works to the monument, which will ensure stability and provide a pathway for the phase 2 completion works themselves at the monument. The Deputy will, I am sure, appreciate that Minister O’Brien and I are keen that these essential works commence as soon as possible.

I can assure the Deputy that plans are under way for the sensitive and respectful restoration of the monument along with a visitor centre to the rear.

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