My Department manages some 74 heritage sites, including some of the most prestigious national monuments and historic properties in the State. A full list of all sites which are open to the public this year is contained in my Department's booklet, Heritage Sites 1999, which is available free of charge to the general public and a copy of which I have arranged to be sent to the Deputy.
Among the historic properties currently open to the public are Emo Court, County Laois, and Muckross House, County Kerry. It is proposed to reopen Castletown, County Kildare, by the end of April, while Doneraile Court, County Cork, will be opened following the completion of necessary restoration and safety works.
Lists of stately homes in private ownership which are opened for viewing by the public are not kept by my Department. However, the owner or occupier of a building which is determined by me to be a building which is intrinsically of significant scientific, historical, architectural or aesthetic interest and which is determined by the Revenue Commissioners to be a building to which reasonable access is afforded to the public, can apply under section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, for relief for expenditure incurred in the repair, maintenance or restoration of that building.