It is not possible to quantify the number of excavations relating specifically to heritage projects being carried out throughout the country. However, as the Deputy may already be aware, archaeological investigations and excavations must be licensed by my Department. So far this year, a total of 1,095 excavation licences have been issued most of which relate to planning and development.
Among the recent excavations conducted by my Department are Barryscourt Castle, County Cork, and Skellig Michael, County Kerry. Both of these sites are open to the public. An excavation was also carried out on the gatehouse at Cahermore in the Burren and it is proposed to open this site to the public in the near future. As most other excavations relate to planning and development on land in private ownership, the opportunity for the public to access and view these sites is not feasible.
The Deputy may be interested to note that there are normally five or six research excavations dealing with specific sites of interest throughout the Republic. These are funded by the Government and administered by my Department on the advice of the national committee for archaeology of the Royal Irish Academy. I would like to remind the Deputy that Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, provides visitor services at over 70 sites, many of which deal with archaeological and historical themes.