Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2017
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her Department continues to liaise with the Office of Public Works to ensure that heritage sites and buildings continue to be protected and in cases in which it is necessary sealed to prevent water damage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40930/17]
View answerMy Department is providing €350,000 of funding to the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2017 to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership. In the current year my Department is also providing almost €900,000 under its Structures at Risk Scheme to local authorities to address heritage infrastructure.
My Department’s National Monuments Service works in close collaboration with the OPW on survey, excavation and research work to optimise the protection, management, interpretation and presentation of national monuments in State care throughout the country.
My Department's liaison with the OPW includes regular meetings at a central, regional and district level, addressing conservation and management issues at our key properties, including our World Heritage sites. In addition, my Department regularly liaises with the OPW through our strategic partnership with Fáilte Ireland. The goal of this substantial capital and non-capital investment in key heritage properties owned by the State is to improve the experience of visitors, of tourists and the general public, through improvement of interpretation, access and facilities, including car parking, in line with the conservation agenda of each site.
