Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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219. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the arrangements being made to accommodate tourist access to a historical site (details supplied) in view of the recent retirement of the keyholder; and if the OPW will work constructively with a local tourism group with regard to same. [36713/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works is anxious to restore public access to this important Heritage site following the retirement of the previous Keyholder / Caretaker earlier this year and have been attempting to identify a viable local alternative solution to manage the access to the site.  To date however, no proposals have emerged locally which are consistent with the OPW's need to be assured that there will be firm control over the access arrangements which will protect the Monument. 

Currently, OPW is engaging with both the Kells and District Tourism Network and Meath Co. Council and a positive outcome on a partnership basis is anticipated.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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220. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the list of heritage sites open to the public by the public having to borrow a key from a neighbour to the site. [36834/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works manages visitor access to Heritage sites in its care throughout Ireland in a variety of ways. 

Seventy sites are manned by Guide staff and are open to the public on either a fulltime or seasonal basis and include some of the most prominent tourist locations nationally such as Newgrange, Rock of Cashel, Kilmainham Gaol etc.   

A significant number of other locations are managed separately with the assistance of Caretakers or Keyholders employed locally and usually residing near to the sites.  These individuals perform a variety of services including light cleaning and litter removal, management of daily gate opening/unlocking for general open access sites and liaison with OPW management in relation to small maintenance needs, fault reporting etc.  Within this cohort, some sites are opened to the public by means of a specific Keyholding arrangement whereby visitors are enabled to call on a specified person locally who will make the key to the site available to them for the purposes of a visit.  This allows the OPW to facilitate access to the site for visitors but to retain essential control and combat any unauthorised person from getting admittance and causing damage or engaging in antisocial behaviour.

A list of the properties in the final category is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy separately.