Vol. 536 No. 2
378 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has seen the recent report by the Heritage Council which expresses concern with regard to the condition of several historical buildings (details supplied); the plans she has to carry out remedial works on these monuments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14094/01]
The Heritage Council's report on decay of stone monuments published last week is being examined in my Department. My Department is conversant with the issues involved and, in particular, would be largely familiar with the problems besetting the monuments and properties indicated in the report and has been to the fore in good stone conservation practice.
Of the historic buildings referred to by the Deputy in his question, Dúchas is responsible only for Baltinglass Abbey. Dúchas carries out routine maintenance works twice yearly at the abbey. Dúchas has also installed crack monitors and these are inspected annually. Masonry works on the nave arcade were undertaken three years ago. The Heritage Council's harsh assessment of the abbey is not shared by the professional expert advice available within Dúchas.
The comments of the Heritage Council must also be seen in the context of my announcement last November of a major £100 million investment in the built heritage under the national development plan which includes an unprecedented level of commitment to the conservation of national monuments in the care of the State, which should perhaps have been acknowledged in the council's comments. I also wish to point out to the Deputy that the quality of the conservation work which has been undertaken by Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, in stone conservation is widely recognised.
