Vol. 515 No. 5
6 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress, if any, made in regard to her consideration of proposals whereby conservation rangers and local authorities and local interest groups may be able to assist in monitoring heritage sites; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6305/00]
Many heritage sites are monitored by the existing corps of conservation rangers in my Department. These rangers are employed to monitor natural sites and they also provide advice to landowners and others to safeguard that heritage. A similar level of service is required for the archaeological heritage and I am examining proposals in this regard in the context of the overall protection of archaeology. I expect to make significant progress in the matter this year.
This question arises from a similar statement the Minister made on Question Time on 1 February. What progress has been made since that date in introducing new personnel to police and protect our heritage?
I remind the Deputy that natural heritage areas and special areas of conservation are monitored by the conservation rangers and I am glad we now have 90 conservation rangers. We had 60 up to July 1999 and I was then in a position to create a further 30 vacancies, 11 of which remain to be filled. They are in the administrative process at present and should be filled soon. It is the best approach because not only are special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas involved, which are very important, but also 120,000 recorded monuments and sites throughout the country, and we want to see how best we can monitor those sites. Rather than setting up a new set of staff to do this, it is best to build on the resources of the existing conservation rangers. There is a provision in their job specification to extend their duties in this regard.
Are conservation rangers also wildlife rangers?
Yes.
They are one and the same?
Yes.
The Minister does not seem to remember the answer she gave on Question Time on 1 February. She spoke about examining the role of local authorities and interest groups. Has she done anything about it since then or was it a bit of waffle to fill out an answer?
No. We also need to address this in terms of archaeological heritage. Anyone assigned to such a task would obviously need to be trained in this area because it is a special area and we need qualified archaeologists to be assigned to the regions. I am discussing the provision of such staff with the Minister for Finance. The Deputy is correct in saying that I spoke in my last reply of availing of assistance from local interest groups and those involved in historical and archaeological societies throughout the country which have proved to be excellent in taking an interest and being professional in their approach. When I have concluded my discussions with the Minister for Finance about employing people with specific archaeological qualifications, we will contact local organisations to see how best to proceed.
