Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 1

Written Answers. - Architectural Heritage.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

68 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has to introduce programmes with the objective of bringing heritage houses, buildings or lands under State control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10824/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

172 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her Department has undertaken any inquiries with a view to the identification of locations, houses and buildings of cultural and heritage or historical value which are suitable for restoration, development or acquisition for public use or alternative in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11227/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

174 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her Department has undertaken any inquiries with a view to the identification of locations, houses and buildings of cultural and heritage or historical value which are suitable for restoration, development or acquisition for public use or alternative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11229/00]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 172 and 174 together.

The State already has a sizeable portfolio of more than 700 national monuments and historic properties which are in the care of Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department. The resources required to conserve and manage such properties are already considerable and continue to increase. While it is neither feasible nor desirable for the State to control all heritage properties, I am conscious of the need to support the protection of the heritage not in State care.

The national heritage plan, which will be published later this year, will outline the future approach to the protection of heritage properties in private ownership, to include the use of the Planning and Development Acts, the completion of surveys such as the national inventory of architectural heritage and increased levels of training in skills and craft areas which are crucial to the protection of heritage in private ownership. Owners of heritage properties may receive assistance under the conservation grants scheme announced last year by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government and also under the provisions of the Finance Act in respect of maintenance works carried out to heritage properties which are open to the public.