77. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide an update on the development of Doneraile House and grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52154/26]

Doneraile Court and Estate came into the care of the OPW in 1994 and significant investment has been made in the conservation and presentation of the Estate. In 2023, Doneraile attracted more than half a million visitors (523,800) to the parkland with over 9,000 ticketed visitors to the House.

In terms of the restoration of Doneraile Court, in 2019, the ground floor was restored and opened to the public with the pleasure grounds opening in 2020. In 2023, the conservation of the first floor was completed with the House fully opened to the public. This phase of works focussed on improved universal access with this installation of a lift and a Changing Places facility.

A Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for Doneraile was published in 2023. The plan identified the Conservatory (Orangery), built in 1825-6 and taken down in the early 1970s, as an important missing feature on the site. A feasibility study of options for reconstruction of the Orangery and potential uses to complement and enhance the visitor experience has been completed. The OPW is now developing the Preliminary Business Case required under the Public Spending Code for appointment of an expert design team to develop a scheme to bring to planning.

Restoration and upgrade works at Doneraile are ongoing, with works in 2024 including the restoration of the gates to the Haggard and American Gardens, site access and improvement works, and new planting in the formal gardens and woodlands. Works underway and planned for 2025/2026 include repairs to the boundary wall, garden works, renewal of some of the interior exhibits and the upgrading of the public bathrooms.