Vol. 508 No. 3
326 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason Dúchas is insisting on having an archaeologist present when FÁS workers are carrying out grass cutting in cemeteries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18985/99]
Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, considers all applications for works at graveyards in accordance with the guidelines set out in the booklet The Care and Conservation of Graveyards. These guidelines have been agreed with FÁS.
It is not the standard practice of Dúchas to request an archaeologist's presence during grass cutting in cemeteries. However, I should explain that if there is any ground disturbance or structural work being undertaken at a site which is a recorded monument in accordance with section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994, an archaeological licence or assessment may be required. Moreover, where a new scheme is being envisaged at or near a recorded monument, Dúchas will require that an archaeological assessment of the proposed scheme be carried out.
