Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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290. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on an urgent matter regarding sculptures (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35354/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works is aware of a proposal from the World War 1 Relatives Group for a sculpture memorial. The group is seeking funding support for this proposal through the Shared Island Programme. As the Deputy will be aware, funding from this programme is a matter for the Department of An Taoiseach.

It is important to note that the OPW manages the Irish National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge which is Ireland's national memorial to all those who lost their lives in the First World War. The names of the 49,400 lost soldiers are contained in the beautifully illustrated manuscripts by Harry Clarke displayed in the granite book rooms.

The Gardens are an all-Ireland Memorial which has over 400,000 users and visitors annually. They are a place of remembrance, with a solemn and serene atmosphere for contemplation on the conflict and all those who lost their lives.