Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will comment on the fact that the National Museum of Ireland and other associated museums, such as the museum at Collins Barracks, are closed on Mondays and only operate restricted opening times on Sundays; her views on this in view of the decline in tourism in Ireland; and if steps will be made to make these attractions more accessible to the general public. [23557/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Whilst my Department provides funding to our National Cultural Institutions, the Board of each Institution is responsible for all operational matters relating to the institution, including opening hours and I do not have a statutory function in respect of day-to-day operational matters. The National Museum of Ireland attracted over 783,000 visitors to its three sites in Collins Barracks, Kildare Street and the Museum of Country Life in Turlough Park in 2009. With the reopening of the Natural History Museum in Merrion Street it is anticipated that National Museum will attract over 1 million visitors to all its sites in 2010.

The National Museum commissioned a Front of House review in 2008, which included consideration of an extension of opening hours. The Museum is in consultation with staff representatives on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report.

My Department encourages the provision of additional public access to our National Galleries, Museums and Libraries. The National Gallery of Ireland, the National Library and Crawford Art Gallery, are opened on Mondays as is the Chester Beatty Library for the period from May to September. In addition, my Department has provided funding since 2006 towards Culture Night, when all our national cultural institutions remain open until late in the evening, allow people access to our national collections outside of regular visiting hours.

Many international cultural institutions operate a policy of restricting access to the public one day a week. It is common practice internationally for institutions to use this time to attend to work that cannot be accommodated while the public has access, for health and safety and operational reasons.