National Monuments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2015

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Questions (236)

Tom Fleming

Question:

236. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will examine the ecclesiastical site at the Chapel, three Beehive huts and burial plots in Church Island, Lough Corran Lake, Waterville, County Kerry, as this site has links with the world heritage centre at Skelligs, and Church Island is an Office of Public Works monument; if she will arrange to have this site restored and opened as a visitor centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6922/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Church Island in Lough Currane, Waterville, Co. Kerry is a National Monument in the care of the Commissioners of Public Works. The site is in the ownership of the State and is managed by the Commissioners locally through the National Monuments Depot at Killarney.

Regular conservation and maintenance work is carried out at the Church Island site by Office of Public Works staff and it is in relatively good order currently. The site is freely accessible by members of the public and there are no restrictions placed on those who wish to visit. While the site is certainly of interest and will continue to be protected and maintained by the OPW under the terms of the National Monuments Acts, it is similar to many sites of its type around the country. There are no plans to provide any additional Visitor facilities at Church Island in the immediate term.