National Parks Closures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2016

Thursday, 28 January 2016

Questions (390)

Noel Grealish

Question:

390. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the situation in relation to Diamond Hill, Letterfrack in County Galway, the upper trail of which is currently closed due to maintenance, when it was closed, and when it will reopen; what maintenance works are being carried out; the reasons for the works; the cost of such works; who is carrying them out; how many persons visited Diamond Hill in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3601/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

In 2015 approximately 200,000 people visited Connemara National Park and most of these would have visited at least part of the Diamond Walk. The Upper Diamond Walk has been closed intermittently since December to facilitate essential health and safety maintenance work. The Lower Diamond is unaffected by the works.

This restorative work includes remediating subsidence and the general maintenance works necessary to make the walkway safe for the general public. Stone slabs and gravel are being used and due to the location, these were transported to the site by helicopter. The work has been carried out at intervals depending on prevailing weather conditions.

The work cost approximately €49,000 and is being carried out by Walsh Stoneworks. It is expected that works will be completed in the coming days and the walkway will reopen as soon it is safe to do so.