Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to make it clear that Russborough House is an independent trust set up by Sir Alfred Beit. I absolutely respect that they have made decisions themselves and they have looked at this long-term plan. We have met them. We have offered all the support we can. Late last week a meeting was held between the trustees and the interdepartmental steering group that was established by me. They discussed measures which would help the long-term sustainability of Russborough House, including the development of marketing opportunities for the house in the context of Ireland's Ancient East project.

The Alfred Beit Foundation development of a master plan to leverage philanthropic support was also discussed and the OPW is willing to support and advise on this plan. The Department was also updated on the Alfred Beit trustees’ talks with potential donors. I do not have the number of visitors to the house every year but there are opportunities in terms of Ireland’s Ancient East to increase numbers. It is a question of working with the Department and we will give them all the supports necessary. The OPW is very good at running historic houses. It has a lot of expertise in that area and it is happy to make its expertise available to the Alfred Beit Trust. We will continue to work with it and give it all the help we can. That is what we have to do. It is a joined-up approach to the various supports for house owners. The steering group on historic houses was established earlier in the year. It is a question of trying to work with them. There is a huge financial burden on anyone who owns a historic house. We do want to work with the trustees to try to find the best solution possible. We have met them on several occasions. I respect the fact that it is an independent trust set up by Sir Alfred Beit.

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