Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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372. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if wheelchair accessible toilets will be built in the vicinity of Ross Castle, Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41864/14]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On foot of the Deputy's previous PQ No. 31 of 15 October last, an examination of the existing toilet facilities, from the perspective of people with disabilities, at Ross Castle has taken place.

This amenity was installed in the early 1990s and complied with the requirements at the time. However, over time, standards have changed and the facilities in place do not now comply with the most recent standards.

I am happy to inform you that having assessed the matter fully, the Office of Public Works will upgrade the facility to reflect the newer standards; this will be done while the site is closed over the winter and it is hoped to complete before the site re-opens next season.

Having regard to the Deputy's question regarding new facilities in the vicinity of Ross Castle, the Office of Public Works is not in possession of any land in the vicinity of the Castle on which to build new wheelchair accessible toilets. Ross Castle is located in Killarney National Park which is under the management of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the issue of providing wheelchair accessible toilets in the vicinity of the Castle (as opposed to within it) would therefore be a matter for that Department in the first instance. I will pass on the Deputy's concerns in relation to this matter to my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.