Office of Public Works Properties

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 May 2013

Thursday, 30 May 2013

Ceisteanna (106, 107, 108, 109)

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

106. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of gift/books shops in Office of Public Works sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26589/13]

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

107. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of running the gift and book shops in Office of Public works sites for 2010, 2011 and 2012 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26590/13]

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

108. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the revenue made in the gift and book shops in the Office of Public Works sites for 2010, 2011 and 2012 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26591/13]

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

109. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the gift and book shops at Office of Public Works sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26592/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 to 109, inclusive, together.

The Office of Public Works has 70 visitor sites across the country. The majority of these sites do not operate a separate retail outlet but sell limited visitor memorabilia on an across the counter basis. As such facilities are contained within an overall site structure, and administered by general guide staff as part of their normal range of duties, information relating to the cost of administering such activity is not available.

Two visitor sites, namely Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre in Co. Meath and Dublin Castle have a designated retail outlet which operate on a franchise basis. In the case of Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, the franchise operation was introduced in June 2012 with a fee of €20,000 per annum payable. The fees for 2010, 2011 and 2012 in respect of Dublin Castle Gift Shop amounted to €19,046.16. A tabular breakdown by site, of the sales income generated by visitor memorabilia in respect of the Office of Public Works sites for the years 2011 and 2012 is as follows. The figures in respect of 2010 are currently being complied and will be furnished to Deputy O'Mahony in due course. As the majority of Office of Public Works visitor sites have limited space and facilities to operate a retail outlet, and our prime focus is on the preservation and presentation of the sites in question, there are no immediate plans for the development/expansion of this area.

Publications sales (only) by site

Site Name	2011	2012
Ardfert Cathedral	€180.09	€186.70
Athenry Castle	€356.26	€330.03
Aughnanure Castle	€1,900.87	€2,128.38
Ballyhack Castle	€276.00	€294.50
Barryscourt Castle	€275.50	€241.00
Blasket Centre	€1,862.86	€2,778.50
Boyle Abbey	€310.05	€384.70
Cahir Castle	€13,350.18	€12,672.63
Carrowmore	€3,939.00	€3,816.50
Casino Marino	€2,486.00	€1,811.00
Castletown House	€6,305.60	€11,485.50
Céide Fields	€3,460.21	€4,108.46
Charles Fort	€3,797.93	€4,407.97
Clonmacnoise	€17,095.60	€16,008.01
Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre	€409.49	€475.55
Derrynane House	€3,552.20	€3,456.50
Desmond Castle	€952.50	€863.50
Desmond Hall	€123.20	€142.40
Donegal Castle	€1,283.52	€1,423.06
Dublin Castle - books only	€1,110.00	€1,070.00
Dún Aonghasa	€6,497.50	€6,056.50
Dungarvan Castle	€406.94	€384.50
Dunmore Cave	€2,149.51	€2,876.50
Emo Court	€391.49	€1,262.26
Ferns Castle	€490.10	€381.10
Garinish Island	€9,857.40	€8,948.40
Glebe House and Gallery	€3,107.30	€2,038.88
Glendalough Visitor Centre	€27,286.12	€27,087.38
Hill of Tara	€2,119.50	€2,050.50
J F Kennedy Arboretum	€95.20	€39.70
Jerpoint Abbey	€2,486.80	€2,694.99
Kilkenny Castle	€23,863.20	€20,919.00
Kilmainham Gaol	€37,674.03	€36,234.94
Main Guard	€47.30	€165.90
Maynooth Castle	€115.40	€343.50
Mellifont Abbey	€1346.28	€1,295.75
National Botanic Gardens	€3,309.60	€2,859.30
Newgrange	€6,635.95	€9,807.50
Newmills Corn and Flax Mills	€216.41	€190.40
Ormond Castle	€1,845.80	€1,676.80
Parke's Castle	€386.70	€454.96
Pearse Museum	€461.37	€1,434.05
Pearse's Cottage	€1,096.81	€692.83
Phoenix Park Visitor Centre	€2,471.21	€2,651.08
Portumna Castle	€1,453.38	€1,905.73
Rathfarnham Castle	€125.00	€311.50
Reginald's Tower	€1,089.20	€1,308.91
Rock of Cashel	€20,612.46	€12,211.34
Roscrea Heritage	€187.60	€196.91
Ross Castle	€3,452.29	€3,230.45
Scattery Island	€538.60	€411.50
Sligo Abbey	€325.30	€432.00
St. Audoen's Church	€394.90	€340.90
St. Mary's Church, Gowran	€44.00	€35.50
Swiss Cottage	€2,815.80	€2,539.91
Tintern Abbey	€1,584.80	€487.60
Trim Castle (and Keep)	€5,198.35	€5.796.85
-	€235,206.67	€229,840.71