Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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329. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the refurbishment works scheduled to be carried out at Kilkenny Castle in the next 12 months; if these works include a new visitor centre, a lift and a working kitchen; if these works are not included in the schedule, if they are being planned for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9617/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works is responsible for the conservation, care and presentation of Kilkenny Castle and parkland and the collections associated with the Castle.

In 2024, approximately 417,000 people visited Kilkenny Castle for tours and a total of circa 780,000 visited the parklands. The OPW delivers an annual programme of maintenance and conservation at the Castle to ensure the protection of and upgrading of the building fabric, building systems and presentation of the historic rooms in order to continuously improve the offering to visitors.

The OPW has secured planning permission for development works to improve accessibility to the Castle. These proposed works will facilitate universal access which includes provision of a ramped approach through a gradient landscape, lift access to the Picture Gallery and a Changing Places bathroom facility. As part of these works, the OPW plans to carry out fabric repair work to the Picture Gallery and has acquired Section 57 consent from the Local Planning Authority for these works.

As part of these works the visitor reception and ticket office will be relocated to the area of the old kitchen which has not been an operational kitchen for many years. There are no current plans to include a working kitchen in this area of the Castle.

Subject to availability of technical resources and funding, it is hoped to finalise tender documentation in 2025 for the works for which planning has been granted and to begin works in 2026.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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330. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the installation of eco-toilet facilities in the Phoenix Park for public use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9783/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Phoenix Park is an Archaeological Complex and National Historic Park of international significance and the toilet facilities in the Phoenix Park have been developed to date where there is suitable water and wastewater infrastructure. These public toilets are available at the following locations;

• The Phoenix Park Visitor Centre
• The Tea Kiosk adjacent to Dublin Zoo
• Farmleigh House
• Knockmaroon Biodiversity Centre
• Temporary toilets located at the Papal Cross carpark
• Toilet facilities are also located within Dublin Zoo

Park Officials met with the OPW planning advisor in late January to ascertain if planning permission is required for these facilities. The OPW has requested a meeting with the Planners in DCC to consider this further. Subject to no planning permission being required, it is intended that a procurement process will be undertaken in late quarter two of 2025 with a view to installing facilities later in 2025.