Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Architectural Heritage.

Michael Creed

Question:

738 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the study, if any, which her Department has carried out regarding the condition of listed heritage buildings which are in private ownership; her views on whether it is beyond the financial capacity of many of the proprietors of these buildings to adequately maintain them; and the proposals, if any, she has to remedy the situation. [2062/98]

Michael Creed

Question:

739 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the current position regarding the report submitted to her Department by the inter-departmental working group on strengthening the protection of the architectural heritage; if she will implement the recommendations in the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2063/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 738 and 739 together.

While my Department has not commissioned a specific study to assess the condition of listed buildings in private ownership, I and my colleague the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, recognise the importance of introducing measures to strengthen the protection of the architectural heritage, including financial incentives to assist owners in relation to the proper upkeep and maintenance of listed buildings, as recommended in the report of the interdepartmental working group on strengthening the protection of the architectural heritage, which was published in September 1996.

That report has been given serious consideration by myself and the Minister for the Environment and Local Government and we expect to be in a position in the near future to submit a package of specific legislative, administrative and financial proposals, based on the recommendations in the report, for consideration by Government.