Vol. 451 No. 2
67 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will have arrangements made to repair and lease out the eight vacant houses owned by the Office of Public Works and his Department in the Muckross area of Killarney, County Kerry, where there is a large number of applicants for re-housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6470/95]
I understand that the vacant houses which are owned by the Office of Public Works are in various states of disrepair. The houses form part of the cultural heritage of Killarney National Park and as such it is not intended to dispose of them.
The practice in relation to vacant residences within the national park is as set out in the management plan of the park. Residences which become vacant are offered to park employees or retired employees in the first instance. However, some of the uninhabited houses are unlikely to be required for residential use because of their lack of modern facilities, remote location and, in some cases, their relatively small size. In certain cases they are put to alternative uses, such as information offices etc. Recently one cottage has been made available under licence to the Muckross Residents' Association for local community use.
Cottages for which no residential or other use can be found will be conserved as safe ruins while other houses will be repaired as and when resources permit.
The general question of housing in the Killarney area is a matter for the relevant local authorities.
