Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

212. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she hopes to improve the promotion of various sites or buildings of historical or architectural value, with a view to promoting the national image at home and abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17164/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In line with the Programme for Government, my Department recognises the importance of our heritage sites, both natural and built, to Ireland’s economy and society. Our heritage assets continue to offer vital opportunities for the provision of important cultural, social and employment benefits throughout the country. In this regard, figures available for 2013 show that some 3.5 million overseas visitors engaged in cultural activities while in Ireland. Almost 2.5 million tourists visited historic houses or castles, with over 1.5 million visited our archaeological monuments. In 2013, there were over 4.1 million visitors to heritage sites where the Office of Public Works provides a guide service. While the promotion and development of tourism is the responsibility of Ireland’s National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, my Department is committed to exploring the role Ireland’s unique heritage has to play in promoting Ireland at home and abroad.

In 2015 my Department’s voted allocation will fund, inter alia, the activities of the Heritage Council, whose mission is to engage and advocate a wider appreciation of heritage. My Department continues to engage with the expansion of access and improvement of facilities at our National Parks and Nature Reserves. The grant-aiding for conservation of the country’s built heritage is carried out via a number of programmes, which includes the provision of funding to the Office of Public Works for the conservation, presentation and promotion of the State’s heritage portfolio. Under the Government Policy on Architecture 2009-2015 – Towards a Sustainable Future: Delivering Quality within the Built Environment, my Department continues to support initiatives which promotes awareness of architecture and the built environment. This includes supporting the Irish Architecture Foundation in operating the highly successful Open Houseevents.

If the Deputy requires more detail on specific programmes or plans, I will be happy to provide this information.