Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide figures, by individual location, for total annual visitors to the Office of Public Works heritage sites in 2009, 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4920/12]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The table below shows visitor numbers for the sites managed by Office of Public Works where a guide service is provided.

In 2009 total visitor numbers were 3,264,969

in 2010 total visitor numbers were 3,267,772

In 2011 total visitor numbers were 3,440,901

These totals do not include visitor statistics for sites such where the public can freely access elements of the site without the visitor centre e.g. Glendalough Monastic site, the Battle of the Boyne site, Mellifont Abbey. These sites may be accessed freely without entering the Visitor Centres. Statistics for seasonal sites such as Loughcrew, Gallarus Oratory or Mellifont Abbey refer to the numbers of visitors to the site when the guide service is present.

These visitor statistics relate to times when sites are manned by OPW Guide Services (Mar/Apr to Sept, at many sites). The total number of visitors is, therefore, understated, as a lot of tourists visit a number of these sites in the off season.