Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2009
203 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the Revenue generated in 2008 by tourism receipts from visitor attractions and heritage sites operated by the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4325/09]
View answer204 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works receives a specific budget for the operation and maintenance of visitor attractions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4326/09]
View answer205 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the amount of the Office of Public Works budget in 2008, expended on salaries, administration and maintenance of visitor attractions and heritage sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4327/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 203 to 205, inclusive, together.
The Heritage Service of the Office of Public Works are responsible for the conservation, maintenance and preservation of about 750 National Monuments in State care and the management and maintenance of more than 20 Historic Properties. Over 60 of these sites are presented to the public with a dedicated guide service. The OPW has a series of price bands for the different sites, which reflect the relative popularity of individual sites. Some sites are presented to the public free of charge.
In 2008 revenue generated amounted to €7.1 million and it is estimated the salaries attributed to these sites totalled €9.5 million. Works at these Heritage sites are carried out in the main as part of the overall maintenance and conservation works programme of a directly employed workforce. There is no specific budget allocation for the facilities at each site.
