Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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401. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of repair works at a site (details supplied); and when it will reopen to the public. [1107/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works is committed to the conservation and repair of Barryscourt Castle. In this regard, the Deputy will be aware that a major conservation project at Barryscourt Castle was initiated in 2016. The works completed to date include the erection of scaffolding, pointing and regrouting, lead-work and works in relation to the lowering of the ground water level around the Castle. These works are labour-intensive and delivered by skilled stone masons in the OWP direct labour workforce. Regrettably, the pandemic and related restrictions resulted in delays to the projected delivery of the schedule of works.

The next stage of works, which will require ministerial consent upon application to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, includes the design of new mechanical and electrical systems for the Castle. The proposed mechanical and electrical installation works will commence when repointing and grouting work are complete on site and the building has sufficiently dried out.

To this end, OPW are currently working on the design for these new mechanical and electrical systems which will include the installation of new heating system, lighting system, fire alarm, emergency lighting, external lighting and CCTV. This work is at an advanced stage and it is hoped that a final design can be signed off before the end of the first quarter of 2023. It will then be necessary to go out to tender to engage the services of a suitably qualified contractor to undertake these works and, as pre-mentioned, to obtain the necessary Ministerial Consent, which is a pre-requisite to the commencement of any works on site.

I would like to reassure the Deputy that as soon as consent is granted, these works will be prioritised for completion. Regrettably, I cannot confirm an exact re-opening date for the Castle as year but the OPW is working towards a staggered reopening of the site to the public during the 2024 season.