Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if access to Maynooth Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare, will be made available all year round to the local community to facilitate interest groups and tours; if he will review the current opening times with a view to easier access for the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41841/13]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Maynooth Castle is one of 70 visitor sites administered by the Office of Public Works (OPW). In 2013, the Castle was originally scheduled to open from 30^th May - 25^th September but the closing date was extended to 29^th September to coincide with the holding of the Maynooth festival.

The opening and presentation of the Castle to visitors is undertaken by a number of seasonal guides operating under a roster system. Due to budgetary and staffing constraints, the presentation of the Castle, like many other OPW heritage sites, is generally confined to the summer tourist season. Regretfully, no changes can be made to the existing arrangements while the current economic conditions prevail.

While heritage sites are administered by the State on behalf of all citizens, there are limitations on what can be achieved. The OPW would like to have all of its heritage sites open throughout the year but this simply is not possible. The current difficulties can only be addressed if local communities get actively involved with the OPW in the presentation of sites. In 2012, I introduced a strategy whereby local communities could work with OPW in making heritage sites more accessible to the public, and I sought expressions from interested parties. Earlier this year, I again sought applications from local communities to participate in such a scheme. Community groups in the Maynooth area, who are interested in promoting their local heritage, should be encouraged to make an application.