Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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315. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41852/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The Unit referred to was originally an information point for the Park. The National Park is now served by a world-class visitor centre at Killarney House, which forms a gateway experience to Killarney National Park. It seeks to educate and encourage exploration and participation, creating a link between the tangible and intangible heritage of the Park. 

As previously signalled,  if the use of the premises was to be altered in the future, it would need to go through a planning application for change of use.  This application could take some period of time, and would also produce a financial commitment. At present, casual trading is not allowed within Killarney National Park. Notwithstanding the above, if it were to proceed to leasing for business, the entire process and award of such a venture would be subject to a tendering process, which would be an open competition.

While consideration could be given in the future to re-purposing the Unit, subject to a change of use application being made under the Planning and Development Acts, it would however require capital funding being re-directed from elsewhere in the Park. Moreover, there exists already  significant parking issues at this location and a commercial operation at this site would only exacerbate this problem. Accordingly, the development of this unit is not a priority at present.