Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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562. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a start date has been agreed for the commencement of remedial works on cairn T at the Loughcrew heritage site near Oldcastle, County Meath; if he can confirm the plan and schedule for the re-opening of cairn T to the public;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59520/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Cairn T is one of the largest tombs in the Loughcrew Passage Grave Cemetery complex and is a National Monument in State care. The Cairn has been closed to the public since October 2018 as a safety precaution.

The OPW is continuing to work on detailed solutions for stabilisation of the Cairn and these works will require Ministerial Consent. It is intended that the works will be undertaken later in 2026 following the granting of Ministerial Consent.

The public will not have any access to the inside of Cairn T or the chamber for the 2026 season. It is not possible at this stage to give a definitive timeline for the reopening of Cairn T to the public.

The OPW is also working with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage to develop a conservation management plan for the Loughcrew Megalithic Cemetery of Slieve na Cailliaghe.