Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 to 109, inclusive, together.

The Office of Public Works has 70 visitor sites across the country. The majority of these sites do not operate a separate retail outlet but sell limited visitor memorabilia on an across the counter basis. As such facilities are contained within an overall site structure, and administered by general guide staff as part of their normal range of duties, information relating to the cost of administering such activity is not available.

Two visitor sites, namely Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre in Co. Meath and Dublin Castle have a designated retail outlet which operate on a franchise basis. In the case of Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, the franchise operation was introduced in June 2012 with a fee of €20,000 per annum payable. The fees for 2010, 2011 and 2012 in respect of Dublin Castle Gift Shop amounted to €19,046.16. A tabular breakdown by site, of the sales income generated by visitor memorabilia in respect of the Office of Public Works sites for the years 2011 and 2012 is as follows. The figures in respect of 2010 are currently being complied and will be furnished to Deputy O'Mahony in due course. As the majority of Office of Public Works visitor sites have limited space and facilities to operate a retail outlet, and our prime focus is on the preservation and presentation of the sites in question, there are no immediate plans for the development/expansion of this area.

Publications sales (only) by site