Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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685. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the decision to hold two of the three public meetings on the national consultation on Heritage 2030 in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47690/19]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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686. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the decision not to hold public meetings north of County Galway on the national consultation on Heritage 2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47691/19]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 685 and 686 together.

Heritage Ireland 2030 is this Government’s commitment to a revitalised and refreshed National Heritage Plan. The development of that Plan is led by my Department.

Our heritage belongs to us all and it is important this shared ownership is reflected in Heritage Ireland 2030 – not only in its content but also in its composition. My Department issued a Public Consultation Document in November 2018 in which members of the public and stakeholder organisations were invited to respond to questions relating to the  proposed themes of the plan. To inform the process, my Department, alongside partner organisations and Local Authorities organised approximately 70 public workshops to encourage individuals and communities to make submissions.  Workshops were organised by the local authority Heritage Officers at various locations throughout the Country, including 20 events north of Galway across counties Mayo, Roscommon, Donegal, Sligo and Monaghan.  

The Heritage Council held three consultations, two in Kilkenny, where they are based, and one in Claregalway. These included two regional events, one covering the South East and the other the West and Mid West and a national sectoral event. A Report on Heritage Ireland 2030 Public and Sectoral Meetings, which gives details of these events and the findings is available on my Department’s website.

A public information session was held in Dublin Castle last May to present the findings of the public consultation to 280 attendees. Consultations on drafting the report are continuing and I hope to be in a position to publish Heritage Ireland 2030 next Spring. A detailed analysis of the submissions received through the public consultation is available on my Department's website at  .