Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

The ring fort of Grianán of Aileach is a national monument in State ownership. The site is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Office of Public Works. My Department provides funding under the built heritage capital programme to the OPW to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic properties and national monuments in State care. It should be noted that there has been a significant reduction in the budgetary allocation to this programme in recent years. My Department has been engaged with the OPW with regard to this site and has co-operated in the production of a heritage guide to the Grianán, published in 2010. This guide summarises the results of the conservation works undertaken between 2004 and 2007 and gives an outline of the historical and archaeological significance of the site.

Following a meeting on 30 September 2010 between officials from the OPW, my Department and key stakeholders, it was agreed that the heritage guide would be made available through local tourist outlets, that signage at the site would be improved and that there would be ongoing co-operation with stakeholders through the county council's heritage officer to explore possibilities for highlighting the site's importance. I am pleased there is a little good news for the Deputy and progress is being made.

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