Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans for maintaining our heritage sites when 60% of heritage specialists in the public service retire in February, 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5265/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 131 on 18 January 2012, in which I indicated that a total of 16 staff from across my Department had at that stage confirmed their intention to retire between that date and the end of February. This included one member of the professional staff of the National Monuments Service of my Department and a small number of technical and professional staff from its National Parks and Wildlife Service. The latest estimate of the total number to retire across my Department is 20. I am confident that, with continuing effective management of my Department's resources, the quality of the services it provides will be maintained.

My Department is responsible for the legislative framework in respect of national monument sites, for general policy development in the area and for measures to promote better awareness of Ireland's archaeological heritage. The Office of Public Works undertakes the operational management and general maintenance of all national monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Any retirement issues in that office would be a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department deploys a regional force of around 230 staff to manage national parks and reserves and to carry out a range of nature conservation functions. Once there is full clarity regarding the small number of retirements expected from this service, my Department will consider any issues arising in light of the available financial and human resources. I can assure the Deputy that all necessary resources will continue to be directed towards the protection, conservation and development of our built and natural heritage, in accordance with best practice and legal requirements, both nationally and internationally.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. According to Mr. Peter Cox, vice-president of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, Ireland, every euro invested in heritage returns between €300 and €400 to the Exchequer. Writing recently, Mr. Cox, a man with considerable experience in the field of heritage, stated:

The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has now lost a number of senior staff and the few left at this level are so overstretched and underfunded they can no longer promote or protect our national monuments.

It is expected that 60 per cent of senior heritage specialists in the public service will apply to retire in February, which will leave the sector bereft of expertise required to manage national monuments, ordinary heritage and even world heritage sites.

Within five years, cultural tourists will not visit Ireland because our heritage sites will be in poor repair, ill-interpreted and some will have to close because of health and safety restrictions.

I ask the Minister to clarify whether this scenario will be realised. Cultural and heritage tourists spend significant sums in this country. The budget placed a strong emphasis on tourism as a mechanism for job creation and assisting the country in emerging from its current economic difficulties. Will the Minister comment on Mr. Cox's view of the future of the heritage sector given that he is an independent professional working in this area?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I concur with the Deputy that our heritage sites are very much part of our tourism industry and a large number of tourists come here to visit them. Only one member of the Department's professional staff, an archaeologist, is due to retire. I do not know from where the figure suggesting that 60% of heritage specialists will retire came or on what basis the article in question, which appeared in one of the national newspapers, was written. There does not appear to be any grounds for it. Having checked with the Office of Public Works, the number of OPW staff retiring in the coming months is also relatively low. The number of heritage specialists will be only minimally affected by forthcoming retirements. I assure the Deputy that information provided by my Department and the Office of Public Works suggests the figure of 60% does not have any basis.

Despite the fact that all Departments are working in constrained circumstances, the emphasis on our built and natural heritage remains as strong as ever in my Department and the Office of Public Works, for which the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, has responsibility. Deputy Troy can rest assured that our focus on this area will be maintained this year and in the years ahead. Funding for the built and natural heritage was hard hit between 2008 and 2011 and was, unfortunately, further reduced this year because all Departments were required to reduce capital expenditure. I tried to protect funding as much as I could and remain convinced that sufficient resources remain available to continue the service of conservation, protection and promotion.