Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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34. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she is taking to maximise the use of public properties and properties with public access which are of scientific interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31150/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department manages 6 National Parks and 78 Nature Reserves, 66 of which are in State ownership. The National Parks and the State-owned Reserves are open to the public all year round and are free to visit. This network of National Parks and Nature Reserves is also a major part of Ireland's tourism product and my Department is promoting the greater use of these important and valuable natural heritage properties in a manner which is compatible with conservation and protection of their biodiversity.

My Department will continue to develop visitor facilities where resources allow, such as walking and cycling routes, enhanced signage and interpretation. In the last few years, my Department opened modern visitor centres at Ballycroy National Park, Co. Mayo, and Clara Bog Nature Reserve, Co. Offaly, as well as a visitor information point for the Burren National Park in Corofin, Co. Clare.

Killarney House in Killarney National Park is currently undergoing major refurbishment to transform it into the main visitor and interpretative centre for the National Park, with a focus on interpreting the Park's natural wealth. This is a major project for my Department and involves collaboration with the Office of Public Works (OPW), as project managers, and Fáilte Ireland, which has committed funding of €5.2 million towards the project under its Tourism Investment Programme.

There are also approximately 750 national monuments in my ownership or guardianship, including Newgrange, the Rock of Cashel and Kilmainham Gaol. The day-to-day operation of these national monuments is carried out by the OPW. National monument sites are, in general, freely accessible to the public and, in many cases, dedicated visitor services, interpretive facilities and guided tours are available. Information about visitor services at national monuments is available on the OPW's heritage services website at

Finally, it should be noted that many areas identified as being of scientific interest, such as Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Habitat Areas, are on private land. My Department works with the many stakeholders involved in caring for, and raising awareness of, the importance of these areas.