Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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134. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will stop the tendering of the shuttle bus service in Glenveagh National Park, County Donegal and re-employ seasonal workers that provided the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25009/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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My Department is always looking at ways to improve the tourism and education dimensions and visitor services at national parks and I am pleased to acknowledge that the bus service in operation at Glenveagh National Park has proven to be a success over many years. Due to the success of the scheme, and as a result of a significant and welcome increase in coach tour bookings and a general increase in visitor numbers to Glenveagh this year, the demand for the service currently exceeds that which can be provided by the staff at Glenveagh National Park. Accordingly, my Department is considering tendering for a private service operator to augment the bus service currently provided at Glenveagh at peak times. Any such service would be in addition to the service already provided. It would not involve any job losses at Glenveagh National Park and should, in fact, support the provision of further employment in the area.