Office of Public Works

Wednesday, 21 January 2026

Questions (86)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

86. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will issue emergency funding to a project at an OPW site (details supplied) to see the project to the end of 2026, and allow time for the project to source alternative longer term funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4768/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

The Office of Public Works has responsibility for the conservation, maintenance and presentation of 780 National Monuments in State ownership or guardianship. The statutory role of the OPW in respect of this estate is set out in the National Monument Acts 1931-2023. The OPW conserves and protects the Rathcoghan site working in partnership with colleagues in the National Monuments Service as the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The OPW is funded by the Exchequer and six National Monuments Works Depots within OPW Heritage Services are allocated funds each year to support the conservation of Monuments nationwide. The OPW is not a funding agency for third parties. There is currently no mechanism to allow the Office of Public Works to issue funding to the Farming Group at Rathcroghan, as is suggested by the Deputy. However, it is my understanding that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage operates a range of community grant schemes. These include The Heritage Organisations' Support Fund and The Heritage Stewardship Fund, both administered through the Heritage Council of Ireland.