Vol. 450 No. 3
148 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if FÁS will assist in the restoration of national monuments in private ownership which have a tourist potential; and, if so, the procedures for making an application for assistance. [5163/95]
The functions of FÁS relate to the provision of (i) training and retraining for employment, (ii) employment schemes, (iii) guidance and placement and (iv) ancilliary functions related to its main functions.
The provision of direct assistance related to the restoration of buildings etc. in private ownership would be outside the remit of FÁS. However, Community Employment or Community Youth Training projects, operated by FÁS, can involve infrastructural or renovatory projects. Projects of this nature must however, relate to buildings in local or community ownership and must be for the general public benefit or good. It would not be usual for these projects to be on land in private ownership.
Overall responsibility for heritage matters rests with the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
