Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the opportunity to discuss with the select committee the 2017 Estimates and outline this year's priorities in a number of areas which come within my Department's Vote. I will set out my responsibilities in the Department for the benefit of committee members. They include national rural development schemes, including rural recreation, the rural walks scheme, the rural development fund and the CLÁR programme, national parks and nature reserves, the development of the Atlantic economic corridor, reinforcing the role of the Western Development Commission, Dormant Accounts Fund measures, the Tidy Towns initiative and social enterprise.

In respect of the heritage programme, my intention as Minister of State is to continue to invest in national parks and natural reserves to ensure they will remain a vital tourist resource which underpins the economy, both nationally and regionally. The strategic partnership announced earlier this year between Fáilte Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service is evidence of the Government's ongoing commitment to the preservation of the natural heritage for future generations of citizens and visitors. It is a culmination of constructive engagement between my Department and Fáilte Ireland and addresses a long-standing strategy to foster the natural heritage. It should also increase the awareness of the benefits of national parks and natural reserves and show how they can help to create and sustain jobs, as well as contributing to economic and regional development.

I also want to mention the refurbishment of Killarney House and the gardens in Killarney National Park. This project, with a total cost of €8 million, includes co-funding by Fáilte Ireland of €5.2 million. The final phase of works to the house is now substantially complete. Work on the interpretative exhibition is advancing with a view to the amenity being fully operational later this summer. The Office of Public Works, OPW, oversaw the completion of much of the work on the gardens at Killarney House and I was very pleased to be able to officiate at the official opening of the gardens last summer.