538. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if consideration has been given to the late opening of the National Gallery and other state buildings such as the National Writer's Museum and the National Library, other than on a Thursday evening at least once a month; and the obstacles that are in the way of such an arrangement. [73697/26]

The potential expansion of opening hours for National Cultural Institutions is primarily a question for each National Cultural Institution itself, and decisions regarding opening hours cannot be made by my Department on their behalf.

There are numerous factors which can impact on the feasibility of extending the opening hours of a National Cultural Institution, including, for example, additional staff costs in the form of overtime payments or the necessity to increase overall staff numbers to maintain an equal level of service to evening visitors to a National Cultural Institutions. There are also additional non-pay costs that may be incurred as a result of longer opening hours, such as cleaning and maintenance, energy consumption, and other ancillary costs.

The National Concert Hall and the Abbey Theatre already remain open to 10PM or later on numerous occasions during the year to facilitate the holding of concerts, plays and similar events.

In relation to the museum described by the Deputy as the National Writers Museum, I am assuming that this refers to the Museum of Literature Ireland. This is a subsidiary company of University College Dublin and any decision on opening hours is a matter for the company in question.