Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Feighan for raising this matter and for allowing me the opportunity of addressing the topic of heritage week. Heritage week is part of the European heritage days initiative introduced by the Council of Europe in 1991 with the support of the European Union. Ireland was one of the first countries to take part in European heritage days and this year over 40 countries are participating. European heritage days aims to promote awareness of our built, natural and cultural heritage and to foster mutual understanding. The slogan "Europe: a common heritage" stresses centuries of shared history and demonstrates the will to further strengthen the European dimension.

In Ireland, rather than just one day each year, we dedicate a week of events to celebrate Ireland's own heritage and our shared European heritage. The week-long programme has been popular and successful in the past, and we continued this approach this year, with the week running from Sunday, 4 September to Sunday, 11 September. Over 500 events took place throughout the country, offering something to appeal to all family members and people of all ages. The events included guided tours and lectures, music recitals, historical re-enactments, exhibitions, traditional crafts, nature walks and field tripsin a wide variety of venues throughout the country.

In August this year the Minister, Deputy Roche, launched a new website dedicated to heritage week which was developed by the Heritage Council. The website, www.heritageweek.ie, provided detailed information on heritage week 2005 organised both by date and by county, making it easy for people to find the events that interest them. I am pleased we were able to reach more people, not only with details of events which were organised prior to heritage week but also with additional events as these were posted on the website during heritage week. The website is now underdoing additional enhancements for the promotion of heritage week next year, the dates for which will be decided shortly.

Heritage week is co-ordinated by the Heritage Council in partnership with my Department and the council will recoup its costs. These costs relate to the development of the website and other publicity and advertising programmes nationally, regionally and locally on radio, printed media and posters. I do not have details of the breakdown of these costs.

In addition, my Department has spent almost €8,000 on event application forms, posters and programme details. The Department also provided a grant of €10,000 to Cork City Council for Cork heritage open day on 10 September in conjunction both with heritage week and Cork as European capital of culture.

Many organisations are involved in the promotion of heritage week, including local authorities, the OPW, the Department of Education and Science, An Chomhairle Leabharlanna and Fáilte Ireland. These carry their own costs for the week, including for example free entrance to OPW sites on both Sundays of heritage week. Each year, many local community organisations participate in heritage week by organising and promoting events. These organisations include schools, churches, community groups, youth clubs, drama groups, local historians, wildlife experts, musicians, artists and anyone who is willing to provide ideas, information and support. All these community efforts are a valuable contribution to heritage week and I am happy that the organisers can use the occasion to contribute to their localities and at the same time generate enhanced awareness for their work. Their contribution is very much recognised and appreciated and I thank them sincerely.

The Department does not compile the costs incurred by other bodies and community groups and I am not persuaded of the need to do this. This does not give the Senator the specific details for which he is looking but, presumably, they will be available when the data are compiled.