Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Feb 1999

Vol. 499 No. 3

Written Answers - Contracts and Disbursements.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

297 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number, description and identity of contracts, consultancies or disbursements entered into, awarded or approved by her Department since coming into office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2662/99]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera):

In relation to consultancies, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 349 of 30 June 1998. Since that date the following consultancies have been commissioned:–

1.Glendalough, County Wicklow – Visitor Management Plan (East West Tourism Consultancy Ltd). 2.Study of Heritage Tourism potential at Mount Bellew, County Galway (C.H.L. Consulting Ltd). 3.Study of possible environmental aspects relating to Pollardstown Fen – Kildare Bypass Road (D. Ball and P. Johnston). 4.Study on Income Generation at Dúchas heritage sites and at the Cultural Institutions (C.H.L. Consulting Ltd). 5.Study on Industry Heritage (F. Hammond). 6.Archaeology and Environmental Impact (J. Carroll Archaeological Consultancy). 7.Examination of public submissions made in relation to the proposed National Heritage Plan (N. Lynch).

In relation to other contracts and disbursements, the Deputy will appreciate that my Department provides grants and payments to many hundreds of individuals and bodies in any single year – particularly in the context of schemes relating to the Gaeltacht, including Gaeltacht housing grants and grants to householders providing accommodation for students attending Irish summer colleges. The detailed information sought by the Deputy would involve the examination of numerous records and would be difficult to justify in the light of the amount of official time and expense involved. If, however, the Deputy wishes to bring to my attention any particular cases he has in mind, I will, of course, be glad to assist him.