Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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242. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of professional archaeologists currently in the employ of the Office of Public Works. [26024/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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There are no professional archaeologists currently employed by the Office of Public Works. However, in the event that archaeological services are identified as being necessary to progress a particular project being managed by the OPW , the relevant services would be procured.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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243. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of Commissioners of Public Works with qualifications in archaeology. [26025/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to reply to PQ’s Nos. 26025/23 & 26031/23 together.

The qualifications of the OPW’s Commissioners and Management Team incorporate a diverse and wide range of professional, technical, academic and executive qualifications, skills and experience. The broad scope of functions carried out by the OPW requires a leadership team that is qualified to meet the evolving needs of government, to respond effectively to changing environmental and policy priorities and to comply with extensive governance obligations.

The Commissioners do not hold specific qualifications in archaeology or history but provide the strategic vision, governance and leadership capabilities, that are core requisites for OPW’s Management Board and have been the focus of recent continuous professional development with a view to adding to the Board’s competencies in areas including chartered directorship, talent management and executive leadership.

If the Commissioners wish to obtain specific professional advice to support them in fulfilling any aspect of their role, it can be procured from a suitable source as necessary.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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244. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of professional historians currently in the employ of the Office of Public Works. [26030/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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There are no professional historians currently employed by the Office of Public Works. However, in the event that the services of a historian might be required by the OPW to progress a particular project, the relevant services would be procured.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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245. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of Commissioners of Public Works with qualifications in history. [26031/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise that this P.Q. has been answered in conjunction with PQ No. 26025/23.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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246. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total revenue resulting from charges on admission to monuments and heritage sites by the Office of Public Works in each of the past ten years. [26032/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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A breakdown is provided below in relation to the revenue generated through visitor entrance fees to OPW heritage sites from 2012 to 2022, in tabular form.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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247. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any plans have been prepared to connect lands owned by the Office of Public Works at Glending Woods, Blessington to a planned walkway from Blessington town (details supplied); if a timeline for implementation of the plans has been prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26037/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The forest lands at Glending Woods, Blessington are in the ownership of various government agencies, OPW being one of them. The Office of Public Works is also responsible for a National Monument known as Rathturtle Motte which is in State care and situated in the middle of Glending wood.

The OPW is unaware of any plans to connect lands with property in its ownership or of the development of a network of paths linking lands in State ownership generally. However, the OPW would indeed welcome engagement with the various stakeholders and will be happy to contribute to discussions around the development of suitable plans.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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248. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 16 May 2023, if he has received the OPW report on the inspection of the Oweynagat cave at Rathcroghan; if he will publish the report and/or its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26146/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Report on the recent inspection of Oweynagat Cave at Rathcroghan is currently in draft format. It is intended that the report will be finalised and shared with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the coming days for its consideration and comment. At this moment in time, it would be premature to publish the Report but I can assure the Deputy that once the detail of the report has been reviewed, I have asked that my officials publish the findings as soon as possible.

The Office of Public Works has worked closely with the local team at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre for many years. 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.