Vol. 520 No. 2
37 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if any audit has been undertaken of endangered heritage houses; the number of such buildings in this condition at the present time; her plans, if any, for preservation and restoration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15293/00]
I do not have the information requested by the Deputy and have no responsibility for providing information in relation to the condition of buildings.
Under the provisions of the Architectural Heritage (National Inventory) and Historic Monuments (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1999, a nationwide survey is currently being carried out by my Department to help identify structures and buildings which are of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. The Government is committed to completing all interim county surveys within the next two years and the complete national inventory within a period of twelve years.
In addition, under the provisions of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1999, each planning authority shall, for the purpose of protecting structures, or parts of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, include in its development plan a record of protected structures within its functional area. This legislation places a duty of care on the owners of protected structures and also gives planning authorities enhanced powers, not only to deal with development proposals affecting them, but also to safeguard their future. This is the proper framework for the protection of our architectural heritage.
