Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
1073. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department will investigate the possibility of purchasing available lands at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11842/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 28 February 2018 in relation to this matter. My Department is aware of the land available for sale adjoining Killarney National Park. Through the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht manages a property portfolio in respect of national parks and reserves of approximately 87,000 hectares. These important biodiversity areas are located all around the country. Given the limited resources available for capital investment within the National Parks and Nature Reserves, I recognise the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management of the existing Parks and Reserves lands. The Department has no plans at this time to purchase the lands in question.
