Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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261. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has any plans to renovate and promote the heritage of Carlow castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53678/13]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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There are no plans at present to undertake renovations at Carlow Castle. Works were undertaken a number of years ago to conserve the Monument and to landscape the surrounding area. The site is in relatively good order currently.

Due to budgetary and staffing constraints, the presentation of a number of our National Monuments, including Carlow Castle, cannot include an on-site guide service and the Office of Public Works (OPW) are therefore anxious to promote more imaginative ways of presenting those sites that can be accessed safely by the public.

The Communities Involvement Initiative was introduced in 2012 with the aim that local community-based groups, who had an interest in the development and promotion of heritage sites, would get involved with the OPW in the presentation of sites on a voluntary non-commercial basis.

Earlier this year, I again sought expressions of interest from local communities to “Become a Friend of Irish Heritage” and advertisements to this effect were placed in National and Regional newspapers.

The full potential of this country's many heritage sites, including Carlow Castle, can be realised and brought to the fore within local communities through appropriate joint ventures between local communities and the Office of Public Works National Monuments Service and I would take this opportunity to suggest that the Deputy would encourage suitable local groups to come forward with proposals in this regard in respect of Carlow Castle.