Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1747. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a full detailed update on the current status of the Ardee Castle project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1010/25]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects.

The Ardee Castle project was allocated RRDF funding of €2,147,000 in 2019. This a significant historical tourism project linked to the heritage-led regeneration of Ardee, which will also contribute to the further development of Louth as a tourist destination.

Louth County Council is the lead partner for the project. The works include the refurbishment of Ardee Castle project and the conservation of a four-story tower house built in the 1600’s and its adjacent associated buildings. The projects includes refurbishment works to the Castle itself as well as some stripping away of modern materials to reveal more of the medieval structure. A major part of the works is the creation of a new extension to the rear of the tower house. The extension will include new fully compliant lift, staircase and toilets which will serve all areas of the building complex.

The County Council has confirmed that the tower house is a registered National Monument, and as such, Ministerial consent for the planned works was required. This consent was secured last year and the required Part 8 planning is also in place.

Having secured the required consents, the County Council has also advised that a process to appoint a main contractor for the works is currently ongoing, having been advertised an open tender in October 2024. Tenders received are currently being assessed and, once this process is complete, the Final Business Case will be submitted by the County Council to my Department for approval to proceed to construction stage. The County Council has indicated that the works will take a minimum of eighteen months to complete following appointment and mobilisation of the contractor. My officials continue to engage with the County Council as to progress on the project.