Vol. 479 No. 2
37 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will release moneys due to the Heritage Council to enable it to carry out essential works such as the maintenance of ancient monuments and thatched houses. [12695/97]
The Estimates for my Department for the current year provide for expenditure of £2.33 million by the Heritage Council for nonadministrative purposes — Subhead P.2 of Vote 42. These moneys are transferred in instalments — which have been agreed with the Council — from my Department to the Council during the course of the year.
The Heritage Council has powers under the Heritage Act, 1995, to provide advice and assistance — including financial assistance — to persons and bodies in relation to the protection, preservation and promotion of the physical heritage. The question of the sanction and payment of grants for such proposals is solely a matter for the Heritage Council in the exercise of its powers and functions as a statutory autonomous body under that Act.
