Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2025
308. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if an agreed lease for a community playground in west Kerry (details supplied) will be issued to allow the project to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31612/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra309. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress that has been made to transfer the land at Ionad an Bhlascaoid to Kerry County Council for a playground in Dún Chaoin. [31699/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 309 together.
I propose to take PQs 31612/25 and 31699/25 together.
The OPW has been a core stakeholder in the conservation of An Blascaod Mór since 1988. Ionad an Bhlascaoid, (the Blasket Centre) was developed with assistance from the locally based voluntary group, Fondúíreacht an Bhlascaoid in 1992/3. It was officially opened in April 1994. The State purchased the majority of the holdings on the island in 2009. The OPW has since restored a number of the houses on the island and operates a guided visitor service on the Island during the summer season each year.
In 2020, €1.2 million was invested in a clifftop Viewing Platform in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, to provide an accessible viewing point for visitors to enjoy vistas of the peninsula and the Great Blasket Island. Additionally, the OPW undertook a major refurbishment of the The Blasket Centre which re-opened in 2022 after an investment of €2.9 million under a strategic partnership between Fáilte Ireland, OPW and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The OPW is working with Comharchumann Dún Chaoin, a local community group, on a proposal to develop a community playground at lands adjacent to the Blasket Centre. The OPW is delighted to support this initiative and is pleased to hear that funding has been secured to deliver the playground, which will be an important amenity for the local community.
My officials are working hard to finalise a lease for the site. The lease will be between the OPW and Kerry County Council for a purpose of a community playground. The playground will be operated by Comharchumann Dún Chaoin.
The OPW, with the assistance of the Chief State Solicitor's Office, is working with Kerry County Council to finalise the legal aspects of the proposed lease.
