Office of Public Works

Tuesday, 11 June 2024

Questions (219)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

219. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW intends to put a tender out for a café/restaurant service in Dublin Castle before the end of the year. [25093/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

It is not intended to tender for provision of restaurant/café services at Dublin Castle at present as a process is currently underway to redevelop the visitor reception facilities at Dublin Castle. This project will be funded by Failte Ireland, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW and seeks to modernise and improve the visitor welcome facilities at Dublin Castle.

The space formerly occupied by the tearooms/café has been prioritised for redevelopment as part of the planned new visitor hub for the Castle.

For visitors there are numerous cafés and restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the Castle. It should be noted that there is a café facility on-site, the Silk Road Café at the Chester Beatty which is located adjacent to the Dubh Linn gardens.