Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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258. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will initiate a project to promote and protect the structure of Doe Castle, ancient home of Clann Mac Suibhne, considering the vastness and beauty of this ancient building; his views that the Office of Public Works has failed to upkeep the grounds and promote tourism at DoeCcastle; his further views that a project should be undertaken to have this building promoted consider the history, heritage and culture this building provides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33475/13]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Doe Castle is a National Monument in State care and is maintained by the National Monuments Service of the Office of Public Works. The responsibility for the care and conservation of National Monuments in State care is defined in the various National Monuments Acts 1930 – 1994 and in this specific regard, it is noted that Doe Castle is in good physical condition, a significant conservation project having been carried out there in recent years. The National Monuments Service cares for both the building and grounds on an ongoing basis and my information is that this site has been visited recently for grasscutting and weed removal and the grounds are well maintained currently. I am not aware therefore that the site is in poor state as alleged and if the Deputy is aware of any issues currently in relation to the presentation of the building or the grounds, he might let me have details and I will have this addressed.

The National Monuments Service is anxious to promote visitors to its sites and, with this in mind, and having regard to the current difficult position in relation to resources, the Office of Public Works has since 2012 engaged in an initiative called "Friends of Irish Heritage" which is designed to facilitate the development of formal partnerships with local community-based groups who are interested in supporting opening of these facilities on a volunteer basis. I understand that contact has been established with interested individuals in the north Donegal area in relation to the potential tourism of Doe Castle and I would be hopeful that a viable project can be devised that the National Monuments Service can support.

In regard to marketing of this site, my officials have recently engaged with Fáílte Ireland in relation to Doe Castle and it will be prominently included in the context of the "Wild Atlantic Way" project being developed to promote and facilitate tourism in that region. It is expected that the National Monuments Service will engage in further awareness initiatives to support this in time.