Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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342. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Skellig boat licences for the next five seasons, including the 2025 season will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14980/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in State Ownership. The conservation and presentation of the island is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The OPW manages access to the Island by way of a license or permit system whereby a specific number of boat operators are granted permits to carry visitors to the Island in a given season.

The OPW is currently engaged in an open competition via the e-Tenders system to award permits to fifteen successful candidates. Successful tenderers, subject to compliance with necessary Terms and Conditions, will be awarded a permit for a maximum of five consecutive seasons.

The original invitation issued on e-tenders on the 12th December 2024 and the evaluation has been completed in recent weeks. The Office of Public Works issued notifications to all applicants on Thursday 27th March last. As the competition is ongoing, the OPW is not in a position to comment further at this time.