Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
15. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to outline the schedule of works for the OPW renovation works at the Round Tower, Kells, County Meath; the estimated cost of this work; the breakdown of same; the costs incurred to date on this project; the breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50872/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works has responsibility for the conservation, maintenance and presentation of 780 National Monuments in State ownership or guardianship. The statutory role of the OPW in respect of this estate is set out in the National Monument Acts 1930-2023. The service is funded by the Exchequer and six National Monuments Works Depots within OPW Heritage Services are allocated funds each year to support the delivery of this service.
Kells Round Tower, Co. Meath is one of these Monuments. It was erected in the 10th century and stands 26 m (85 ft) high. The doorway originally stood about 3.6 m (12 ft) above ground level and was reached by wooden steps or a ladder.
The Round Tower has experienced significant mortar loss and stone erosion over the centuries. The purpose of this particular project is to conserve the Tower as it is, currently roofless and with an internal floor at the entrance level of the tower to facilitate OPW maintenance access for the ongoing care and protection of the monument. It is not intended to provide public access to the Tower. As the door is set at a height, a set of access stairs and a landing would be required. Given the proximity of the door to the High Crosses in the graveyard, these additions would be difficult to achieve.
The OPW obtained Ministerial Consent for the current phase of conservation repairs. This Consent was granted in September 2023 and the project started after the erection of the scaffolding in February 2024. The OPW had estimated that the timescale for this project would be 2 years. Despite the unforeseen and necessary pause to works as a result of damage to the scaffold wrap caused by Storms Darragh, Éowyn and Bram, I am happy to say that these conservation works are on track for completion by mid Q3 2026. The project commenced with initial surveys, studies and planning consent during the period 2019-2023 and the erection of scaffolding in late 2023. The conservation works commenced February 2024 with an estimated duration of just over 2 years so this project is on track.
This project is being delivered by the specialist stonemasons in the OPW. The craft personnel of the OPW are salaried employees of the Office of Public Works. The various teams including the one working on Kells Round Tower deliver conservation works throughout the year at multiple locations. The Trim district workforce maintains a portfolio of 165 National Monuments across 10 counties. As such it is not possible to give a specific labour cost or pay figure for the works but I can advise that the cost of this project since 2019 to date stands at €497,368.00 including VAT. This figure comprises the cost of surveys, materials, services, compound costs, Civil and Structural Engineering and the cost of scaffolding for the project.
Breakdown of Costs (incl VAT)
|
Scaffold design, erection and ongoing H&S checks (includes purchase of scaffolding that will be re-used) |
€418,544.68 |
|
Works compound |
€24,600.00 |
|
Civil and Structural Consultancy |
€7,617.39 |
|
Design Consultancy |
€22,632.00 |
|
Ecology Assessments |
€5,535.00 |
|
Archaeological Geophysical Survey |
€4,920.00 |
|
Signage and Information |
€13,518.63 |
|
|
€497,367.70 |
