Written Answers. - Architectural Heritage.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:
336
Cecilia Keaveney
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands
the names and number of listed buildings from Connacht and Ulster that are included in the new programme which was recently announced for the period to 2006; and if she will make a statement on the geographical spread of the £93 million funding.
[25697/00]
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)
Expenditure on capital projects in the built heritage area in the period to 2006 will be £78 million, £65 million on major projects and £13 million to undertake minor works which inevitably arise in a property portfolio of in excess of 740 properties. A list of the major projects I am proposing to undertake in Connacht and Ulster follows.
In addition to capital projects the other main details of the built heritage elements of the national development plan I announced on 5 November were as follows: an allocation of £3.5 million to enhance the existing education and visitor services of my Department, this funding to be used to attract additional visitors to less popular sites and to extend the season at as many as possible of the Department's sites; an allocation of £4.5 million in the period to 2006 specifically for a programme of upgrading existing exhibitions and audio visual displays at a number of existing sites; an allocation of £1 million to accelerate the installation of information panels at sites around the country which are popular with visitors but where there is no guide service; an allocation of £1.7 million in the period to 2006 for an extensive apprenticeship programme, primarily in the crucial skills of carpentry, stonecutting and stonemasonary, to commence this initiative I am hopeful that 2001 will see as many as 20 young people commence training in their chosen field.
While much of the country's heritage not in State care can and will be protected by the Planning and Development Act, 2000, I am anxious that my Department continues to play a proactive role in this area. To this end I announced an allocation of £9.8 million towards what can broadly be described as assisting in the regulation of the built environment. This provision will enable me to accelerate architectural and archaeological surveys so that planners and developers can be better informed before making project decisions. Efforts will also be made to promote the recruitment of archaeologists in planning authorities.
I believe the strategy I set out on 5 November for the built heritage area in the period to 2006 is comprehensive and wholly realisable and its full implementation will ensure the continued conservation and protection of our national monuments and historic properties in that period.
National Development Plan 2000-2006.
Heritage sites at which it is proposed to undertake work in the period to 2006.
Projects in Connacht-Ulster
Donegal
Donegal Castle
Galway
Athenry – depot
Portumna Castle
Portumna – sub depot
Ardmullivan Castle
Drumcoo Mausoleum
Tyrone House
Portumna Castle – completion of EU project
Aughnanure – completion of EU project
Mayo
Clare Island
Moorehall – survey
Roscommon
Boyle Abbey
Sligo
Sligo Abbey
Carrowmore
Carrowmore – completion of EU project
