Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason there is no mention at the Connemara National Parks Visitors Centre of the history of the Letterfrack industrial school and its association with the park; his plans to update the information displays to include information regarding the history of the industrial school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24918/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Connemara National Park was established in 1980, combining land from a number of sources including Kylemore Abbey, Coillte Teoranta and a number of private landowners. The Park is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department.

The main remit of the National Parks and Wildlife Service is the conservation of our natural heritage and the Park provides a valuable amenity for both locals and visitors to the area and encourages the development of sustainable tourism in the locality. The main purpose of the Park's exhibition area is to interpret the landscape and natural heritage of the National Park and the surrounding area through information exhibits and special events such as children's activities, guided walks and evening talks which are organised throughout the year.

While the graveyard and some outbuildings from the former Letterfrack Industrial School lie within the boundaries of the National Park the main building which housed the School does not. With regard to the graveyard itself, its enhancement was facilitated and funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the area is treated with dignity and respect and is cared for by NPWS staff who maintain it to the highest standards. In addition, there is appropriate signage in place where the access path to the graveyard leaves the main route in the park.

The appropriate means of highlighting the history of the Letterfrack Industrial School and other such institutions and the commemoration of those who spent time there is a matter that falls outside the primary remit of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and is more appropriate to the Department of Education and Skills.

I understand from enquiries made to that department's Residential Institution Redress Unit that as part of the Government's implementation of the recommendations of the Ryan Report, an independent Committee was appointed by the Minister for Education & Skills to oversee the design and commissioning of a memorial for those affected by institutional abuse.

Following the consultative process, a competition is being organised and administered on behalf of the Committee by the Commissioners of Public Works. The competition is open to all including those who might wish to make proposals for an appropriate memorial to those affected by institutional abuse in Letterfrack Industrial School.

The closing date for receipt of expressions of interest is Thursday 13th of October 2011 and details of the competition, including selection criteria, indicative dates, and competition jury membership is available on the Department of Education & Skills web-site www.education.ie and www.publicart.ie .