Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 306: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which ongoing inspections are carried out at protected or other monuments throughout the country with particular reference to the detection of the need for weather-proofing or other damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12815/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The 757 national monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht are managed and maintained by the Office of Public Works on a day to day basis. Local authorities are responsible for monuments in their ownership or guardianship. The vast majority of recorded monuments (approximately 120,000) are, however, privately owned and, while they are protected under the National Monuments Acts, the owners are responsible for their maintenance.

Appropriate action is taken if my Department becomes aware of threats or damage to monuments, including advice to owners, prosecution under the National Monuments Acts or, occasionally, rescue excavation work. My Department's National Monuments Service also maintains a general oversight of monuments in the course of its routine fieldwork.