Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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293. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding will be provided to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to invest in roads, walkways and trails in Killarney National Park; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18217/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department manages an extensive conservation and recreational property portfolio of some 87,000 hectares. Our 6 National Parks account for circa 65,000 hectares with another almost 22,000 hectares of nature reserves and other heritage sites. In the past 4 years more than €3m has been invested in Killarney National park including more than €330k on upgrading the road network. The roads mentioned by the Deputy are included in the Department’s future plans for investment within the park and it is envisaged some work can commence this year as a result of the July 2020 Stimulus package for the National Parks and Wildlife Service announced by the Government.

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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294. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide funding to the National Parks and Wildlife to invest in the enhancement of Skellig Michael; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18220/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Sceilg Mhichíl is a World Heritage site, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1996 on the basis of its Outstanding Universal Value. It is a national monument in State care, and it also forms part of the Skelligs Special Protection Area (SPA).

My Department's National Monuments Service (NMS) has primary responsibility for conservation of the site, in cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which manages it on my behalf. The Department also acts as focal point for Ireland, as State Party to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, and is responsible for safeguarding and maintaining the island’s Outstanding Universal Value.

My Department is in the process of purchasing the Skellig Experience Visitor Centre on Valentia Island and this asset will be integrated into the State’s visitor services. In line with the principles of the Sceilg Mhichíl Site Management Plan, the acquisition of this facility will provide visitors who can, and cannot, visit Sceilg Mhichíl with an accessible visitor experience and orientation point. The OPW is currently developing plans to refurbish the lower lighthouse while continuing with conservation works to the upper lighthouse access road. 

The Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service also contributes to management of the island through its membership, with NMS and OPW, of the Sceilg Mhichíl Implementation Group, whose function is to ensure that an effective overall management framework is in place to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the site. This includes measures to improve liaison with local interest groups and other relevant parties, to identify and conserve the natural heritage of the island, to further promote its importance as a World Heritage Site and to ensure that there continues to be a co-ordinated approach by Government Departments, agencies and other statutory bodies with responsibilities for making and implementing national policies and undertaking activities that may impact on Skellig Michael and its environs.

My Department and the Office of Public Works are committed to providing the resources and supports that will ensure that the Sceilg Mhichíl site is managed and maintained to the highest possible standards commensurate with its status as a World Heritage site of global renown.