Heritage Sites

Monday, 9 September 2024

Ceisteanna (419)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

419. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on renewed visitor experience at the Battle of the Boyne site; to provide the total allocation; the expenditure to date; the amount that is contained with expenditure ceilings laid out in the Stability Programme Update and Summer Economic Statement and the amount that will have to come from additional funding; the date the project was started; and the projected date of completion, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34824/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Renewing the visitor experience at Oldbridge - Battle of the Boyne will be a major capital project encompassing three elements - the full refurbishment and presentation of the Farmyard Complex as a new visitor experience, further renovations of Oldbridge House (to make additional floors accessible to the public), and the provision of ancillary visitor facilities such as increased and enhanced bicycle and car parking, lighting, and signage.

In line with the Public Spending Code, the project must pass through a number of assessment stages including finalisation of the business case prior to inviting tenders and this process is ongoing. The first step in this process is the appointment of a full design team and it is anticipated that tenders will be invited in the coming months and an appointment made early in 2025.

All three phases of works will be subject to planning permission and will likely be delivered in phases based on the availability of funding. These works will be funded through the Shared Island Fund and additional funding will be provided from the OPW's overall capital ceilings, as part of the investment envisaged in the Heritage portfolio, under the current National Development Plan.

The expenditure to date is €24,844 for initial enabling works.