Vol. 427 No. 6
70 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Finance if he will give details of any improvements/projects in County Meath which will benefit under Vote No. 10 subheads J, G, E, C and D in the Estimates for the Public Services, 1993.
The amount allocated under Subhead C covers the provision of miscellaneous visitor services and publication material at all major parks and national monument sites nationwide. All normal services provided under this subhead will be available, as a matter of course, at sites in County Meath.
There are no specific sites or buildings listed for acquisition in 1993 under Subhead D. The amount provided in the Abridged Estimates Volume is a general one for acquisitions which may occur throughout the year.
The Subhead E allocation covers the Office of Public Works' Capital Building Programme. There are no new buildings or improvements works in County Meath provided for under the 1993 Programme.
The amount allocated for Subhead G provides for the maintenance and conservation of all national parks and nature reserves nationwide. As part of the Government's policy on national conservation the Commissioners are carrying out a survey of the country with a view to identifying natural heritage areas. Landowners will receive grants in respect of any designated areas to encourage the use of land for traditional purposes and thus conserve any natural habitats. The survey is due for completion this year and to date there are 41 sites in County Meath under consideration.
The Subhead J allocation provides for the conservation and maintenance of all national monuments sites nationwide and consequently all sites in County Meath will benefit under the programme. The only capital item included in the 1993 allocation in respect of County Meath is the development of the Boyne Valley Archaeological Park, at Donore. Work on the new visitor centre is currently suspended pending the outcome of an appeal by the Commissioners to the Supreme Court on an earlier High Court judgment on the application of the Planning Acts to State development. Conservation and restoration works at the Knowth complex of national monuments will continue in 1993.
