Michael Ring
Question:103 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he intends to increase the funding for grant assistance for the Heritage Council to protect our stately homes. [21294/96]
Written Answers. - Heritage Council Funding.
The question of increasing the level of grant assistance to protect stately homes is a matter for the Heritage Council in the exercise of its powers and functions as a statutory autonomous body under the Heritage Act, 1995.
The Estimates for my Department for the current year provide for expenditure of £1.8 million by the Heritage Council for non-administrative purposes — Subhead P.2 of Vote 42. This figure of £1.8 million represents an increase of 16 per cent over 1995 — £1.55 million. I will pursue the matter of further increased funding for the Heritage Council in 1997 and subsequent years.