asked the Taoiseach if there is a national policy for the preservation of thatched houses; and, if so, the incentives, if any, which are given to owners to maintain such structures.
Ceisteanna— Questions. Oral Answers. - Preservation of Thatched Houses.
2.
The National Heritage Council has been established to formulate policies to identify, protect, preserve, enhance and increase awareness of Ireland's heritage in a number of areas including architecture. Architectural conservation includes the conservation of vernacular architecture. The issue is being considered by the council and has been among the topics discussed at meetings between the council and the major interest groups.
I take it from the Taoiseach's reply that there is no policy for the preservation of thatched cottages in general. Is that correct?
It would be a matter for the National Heritage Council to consider in the context of architecture conservation and architecture generally. Thatched cottages certainly come within the context of vernacular architecture.
When people have a thatched cottage which is falling into disrepair and they apply for a reconstruction grant or some aid, be it from the Department of the Environment or from the Department of Tourism and Transport, they are informed that there are no grants available. The result is that people are finding it cheaper to convert thatched houses into slated or tiled houses. That is a very undesirable trend so I would like the Taoiseach to implement a policy which would bring about decisions that would help people maintain those cottages as they are.
I am in favour of the Deputy's approach but I imagine it would be better to see if we could do something through the National Heritage Council because they might have a more sentimental approach to these matters than the Department of the Environment.
There are some very cold people in that Department. I would appreciate it if you would ask the Ministers in the Departments of the Environment and Tourism and Transport to draw up some scheme whereby they can be preserved.