Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
50. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the amount of capital investment planned for OPW sites in Kilkenny and Carlow during 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40271/26]
View answerThe Office of Public Works is a key service provider to Government, managing the State's estate portfolio, maintaining and presenting Ireland's built heritage, and leading the State's flood risk management function. Under the current National Development Plan, the OPW has secured a record allocation of €1.845 billion, encompassing flood risk management, State property management, and the conservation of heritage assets in support of regional tourism. The OPW's capital programme is one of the most geographically distributed and functionally diverse in the public service, with works delivered in every county.
Capital investment in any given area in a particular year reflects a range of demand-led factors rather than a fixed geographical allocation. Under Estate Management, the OPW is responsible for the maintenance, refurbishment, and development of government properties including offices, Garda stations, and other public service buildings. Across the estate, ongoing maintenance is essential to ensure that public assets remain safe, functional, and efficient. Regular maintenance activities frequently identify areas where more substantial interventions are required, leading to planned preventative capital works. By integrating insights from ongoing maintenance into capital planning, the OPW ensures that resources are used effectively and future risks are minimised.
With regard to capital investment planned by Estate Management in 2026 Kilkenny and Carlow , some examples are, electrical upgrade works at Kilkenny Garda Station and refurbishment and universal access works at National Monuments Depot Kilkenny.
Heritage Services projects in the area focus on the conservation, restoration, and presentation of nationally significant sites, including structural repairs, preservation of architectural features, and enhancement of visitor facilities. These works ensure that heritage assets are protected and accessible, supporting both cultural preservation and regional tourism. Heritage Services projects focus on the conservation, restoration, and presentation of nationally significant sites such as Kilkenny Castle and Jerpoint Abbey. In Kilkenny the OPW delivers an annual programme of maintenance and conservation at the Castle including planned and reactive maintenance works. The OPW is also developing a larger capital works project to deal with universal access and fabric repairs to the Picture Gallery wing. The attached table provides an overview of refurbishment and related works scheduled to be carried out or progressed in 2026.
Flood Risk Management is another core pillar, with the OPW leading the planning and delivery of flood relief schemes in conjunction with the local authorities. In relation to flood risk management there are four flood relief schemes underway across Kilkenny and Carlow at this time, Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch, Ballyhale, Piltown, and Freshford. The design for the Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch FRS was submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála in December, 2025 for planning consent. Ballyhale FRS has received planning consent and a tender for construction has issued, with construction due to commence in 2026. Design of flood relief schemes for Piltown and Freshford are progressing through a pilot for a new national delivery model.
While the Carlow FRS was completed in 2014, the OPW and Carlow County Council are currently in discussion to progress the development of a further flood relief scheme for Carlow to augment the existing scheme.
Storm Chandra on 27th January 2026 and in the days immediately after, caused flooding to many towns, businesses and homes, particularly along the East and South East coast of Ireland. I visited the affected communities and saw first-hand the devastation that this event caused to Carlow and Kilkenny. At the end of May I allocated €484,000 and €1.135m respectively to Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils to introduce interim measures that can reduce the impact of similar future flood event to those affected communities.
Given the demand-led and cross-functional nature of the OPW's capital programme, it is not possible to provide a specific capital investment figure on a county or local authority geographical basis.
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Name of project |
Nature of project |
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Combined package of maintenance works |
This programme of maintenance and conservation and refurbishment works was undertaken and completed in January this year. It included floor restoration, carpet replacement, specialist cleaning of historic furnishings, deep cleaning work, painting and decorating, room reconfigurations with addition of new exhibition items. |
|
Expansion of gardener's compound and car park |
This project to improve and extend the gardener's compound and associated car park will improve facilities and better provide for health and safety. Preliminary works have commenced and the required consents for further works are now in process. These works will also provide for the install of charging facilities for OPW electric vehicles to facilitate the transition to lower and zero emissions vehicles within our fleet. |
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Picture Gallery Fabric Repair, Accessibility, landscape and facility upgrade works. |
This planned fabric conservation and facilities upgrade project includes archaeological works, roof restoration and fabric repair work to the picture gallery at the Castle. The project includes repair and replacement of elements of the roof to address issues of water ingress. Universal access measures include a lift to the picture gallery and universal access improvement to the formal garden. The project will also deliver improved toilet facilities and a Changing Places bathroom facility. Associated archaeological works, including works to uncover the remains of the original William Marshall defensive gate tower, will significantly augment the medieval element of the castle’s history. Subject to the necessary consents, it is anticipated that a tender will issue for these works late in 2026. |
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Temporary Ticket Desk |
A new temporary ticket desk will be installed to facilitate efficient admission, improved visitor experience and reduce queuing time for tickets during busy periods. It is hoped to have the new facility in place this year subject to obtaining the necessary consents. |
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Playground Upgrade works |
Some of the playground equipment will be upgraded or replaced this year with a Castle Castello system. This is scheduled to take place in Autumn once the busy summer season for the Playground has concluded. |
