Vol. 546 No. 1
30 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason the published Estimates for 2002 show a reduced fund for architectural heritage protection; if this reflects a change of policy in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31015/01]
The conservation grant scheme for protected structures is designed to assist the owner or occupier of a protected structure to undertake necessary works to secure the conservation of a structure or part of the structure.
While the take up of the annual allocation for the scheme has been increasing, the full annual allocation has not been drawn for any of the years since the scheme commenced in 1999. This year will also see a shortfall in expenditure compared to the allocation. The allocation for 2002 should be viewed in the context of this pattern of under expenditure on the scheme since its inception in 1999 and does not reflect any change in my Department's policy towards the conservation of our protected structures. My Department will continue to monitor the operation of the scheme closely.
