Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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180. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide a report on the cost of walking five vehicles a day up and down a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26413/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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In 2024, the OPW welcomed nearly fourteen million visitors to heritage sites across Ireland.

At all of these sites, the OPW operates a model of pedestrian priority whereby vehicles and pedestrians use the same paths and roadways within the site and this allows for access for essential site maintenance.

Given that the model of pedestrian priority is more than sufficient on all other OPW heritage sites across the country, the proposed traffic management approach at Castletown House of a speed limited buggy accompanying vehicles on the Lime Avenue is appropriate.

This will not incur any additional costs for the taxpayer. However, the approach of walking vehicles on the Lime Avenue could cost up to €10,000 per week.

The number of vehicles accessing the historic property would be immaterial. There is a minimum number of qualified traffic management personnel required for the operation of a traffic management plan where vehicles are to be walked up the 900m Lime Avenue.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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181. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide a log of cases of bullying, intimidation, and harassment against OPW staff while performing their duties at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26415/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office Public Works, as an employer, has obligations under the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to ensure a safe workplace for all staff.

There were 71 incidents of bullying, intimidation, and harassment reported against OPW staff and contractors between September 2023 and May 2025 in this location. It is important to note that such incidents at other OPW locations are rare and as such the OPW must focus on the safeguarding and protection of the staff working at Castletown House.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate to provide a log of cases of bullying, intimidation, and harassment against OPW staff while performing their duties in the named location given that there continues to be incidents of this nature against staff.

Most recently, there was significant criminal damage to a welfare unit and OPW work vehicles that are used on a daily basis by these staff members. This is a clear, targeted attack on the work of the OPW and on the staff of the OPW.