Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the investment by the Office of Public Works in a facility (details supplied) in County Donegal; the number of days the facility is open to the public; the number of tourists that have visited the facility every year from 2000 to date in 2010; the number of employees, both permanent and part-time; his plans to further upgrade the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7046/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In 2009, current and capital funding of some €2.76m was invested in Glenveagh National Park which is managed by my Department. The Park is open to the public all year round while the visitor centre and Glenveagh Castle are closed only on Good Friday and Christmas week. Details of the number of tourists visiting the park generally are not available as there is no admission fee and there are numerous access points. Numbers of visitors to the Castle are available under a ticketing system and details are set out in the following table.

There are thirty three permanent staff at present and part time staff will be engaged during the summer season. The capital allocation for the park will be determined in the coming weeks. Among the projects planned for 2010 are further development of a new pedestrian route from the Visitor Centre to the Castle; ongoing rhododendron clearance; air conditioning in the restaurant. Future investment will be considered in the context of a Management Plan for the Park, a draft of which will be published for public input over the coming months.