Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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546. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a structure (details supplied) has been registered as a national monument under the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023; if not, whether this will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32788/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (the Act) was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and enacted on 13 October 2023.

While the Act is now law, its provisions are being brought into force on a phased basis, by way of a series of Commencement Orders.

When fully commenced, the Act will introduce a range of measures designed to bolster the protection afforded to Ireland’s heritage. One such measure will include a new monument designation system, known as the Register of Monuments.

Work on enabling these provisions to be commenced is ongoing, but it should be noted that the task of establishing the Register of Monuments is a major undertaking. As the scope of the Register is likely to be in excess of 130,000 monuments nationally, it will require progressive implementation across the State.

Castletown House falls under the remit of the Office of Public Works. The question of whether it should be included in the Register is one that can only receive formal consideration when the relevant provisions have been commenced.