Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
474. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a local community organisation will be facilitated on OPW-owned lands for the provision of a community facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40405/21]
View answerSince the inception of Ionad an Bhlascaoid at Dun Chaoin, the OPW has been highly engaged with the local community and Fondúireacht an Bhlascaoid in seeking to meet the cultural and social needs of the community.
The OPW’s role is to animate and present our national archaeological, natural and cultural heritage through compelling visitor experiences. The lands at Ionad an Bhlascaoid were acquired and are maintained by the State for the purpose of presenting the unique natural, literary and cultural legacy of the Blasket Islands.
The new Viewing Platform, which opened in 2020 following substantial investment, links to the headland walks and provides excellent outdoor recreation amenity for local, national and international visitors. We do not believe a playground would be compatible with the wider landscape surrounding the Ionad. Playgrounds are available in Ballyferriter and Dingle, 8km and 14km respectively from Ionad an Bhlascaoid.
As part of the current ongoing project works, parking, toilets, café and visitor facilities are planned to cater for the visitors to the Ionad. The additional visitor demand from users of the playground has not been factored into the building capacity or operating capacity of the site. Our vision is for much increased visitor numbers coming to engage with the great literary legacy of the Blaskets and the cultural life of the area. The facilities at the Ionad are not designed to meet the additional capacity demands that we know would be associated with a playground attraction.
We appreciate this may not be the outcome the community was hoping for but the OPW will continue to work closely with Comharchumann Dhún Chaoin and Fondúireacht an Bhlascaoid to develop the cultural and social programming at the Ionad to best meet the needs of the local community throughout the calendar.
