The Alfred Beit Foundation has said it needs to create a €15 million endowment fund to secure the future of Russborough House in County Wicklow.

Members of the Foundation met Arts Minister Heather Humphreys this afternoon and asked her to indicate the State's capacity to financially support Russborough.

It was originally intended to sell certain paintings to raise funds, but on foot of public pressure, the sale was deferred until December.

The Foundation has warned that without the sale of paintings and an endowment fund, Russborough will have to close.