Vol. 481 No. 1
214 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number and location of all properties under the aegis of the National Monuments and Historic Properties Service; the number of staff employed by the service; the expenditure by the service for each of the past three years; the consideration, if any, which is being given to the acquisition of further monuments and properties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15735/97]
: There are well over 700 properties involved and I am arranging for a copy of the most recent list to be sent to the Deputy.
The number of industrial staff employed by the National Monuments and Historic Properties Service (NMHPs) for the carrying out of maintenance, improvement and new works at various monuments and properties is of the order of 420.
Overall expenditure by the NMHPs in the past three years was 1994 — £19.811 million; 1995 — £21.565 million and in 1996 — £21.701 million.
There is ongoing contact and discussions with owners of significant national monuments and historic properties with a view to possible acquisition within the resources available for that purpose.
