Vol. 526 No. 2
100 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if grant aid is available for restoration works to a listed parish building (details supplied) in Kilcock, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26215/00]
The National Development Plan 2000-2006 provides for the continuation of the urban and village renewal scheme. The regional operational programmes will include a sub-measure under which assistance will be provided for the conservation of the architectural heritage. Grants will be paid by my Department under this sub-measure for the conservation of publicly owned buildings for community use which are of significant architectural or heritage value.
These new regional operational programmes have been submitted for approval to the EU. Once these negotiations are concluded and approval to the operational programmes is received from the EU, application forms for the conservation grants will be available from my Department and an application for this building may be made.
The scheme complements a separate grants scheme for privately owned protected structures which was introduced in 1999 and which is being implemented by the local authorities.
