Heritage Malta, the national agency responsible for the upkeep and running of historic sites, museums and national collections, annually receives €3.3 million from the government.
Additionally, the government had decided that the agency should keep entrance fees which amounted to €3.9 million, as well as other revenues of more than €500,000. Additionally, the government's Restoration Section intervenes on historic buildings, particularly the bastions. With co-financing by the EU the government also sees to a number of restoration projects and the conservation of bastions and Neolithic temples.
The information was given by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in reply to a parliamentary question by Anthony Agius Decelis (PL).
Answering another PQ by Mr Agius Decelis, Dr Gonzi said that during 2009 Heritage Malta's revenue from entrance tickets at museums and historic sites had amounted to €3,923,484.