Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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290. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the OPW is denying access to Oweynagat Cave, Rathcroghan, County Roscommon; the steps that will be taken to ensure access to the cave remains open; if a site visit has been carried out and, if not, when it is planned that such a visit will take place; if the impact such a closure would have on Rathcroghan visitor centre and its work in the local community has been taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22903/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Oweynagat Souterrain is one of a number a National Monuments in State Ownership or Guardianship at Rathcroghan, Co Roscommon and in the care of the Office of Public Works. It is the understanding of the OPW that the Manager of the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre put forward a proposal in relation to the site which drew attention to a number of issues.

The proposal, which was forwarded to the Office of Public Works by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for comment, identified significant concerns in terms of the archaeological integrity of the monument in addition to Health and Safety concerns regarding access and egress for visitors. The proposal urges solutions for the provision for a safe and archaeologically sensitive visitor transition into the cave area.

The Office of Public Works has not closed the Cave but rather advised the Manager of the Visitor Centre that no visitors or Guide staff should enter the Cave until the OPW has completed an inspection. This inspection was carried out in recent days and a Report is expected within the next two weeks.

The OPW has worked closely with the local team at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre for many years and my officials will continue to work with them to optimise visitor experience, visitor safety and ultimately, public enjoyment of the national monuments at Rathcroghan, by locals and visitors alike.