Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 4

Written Answers. - Protection of Built Heritage.

Brendan Kenneally

Question:

150 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether it is fair that owners of commercial properties are put to excessive cost to maintain thatched roofs where there is a preservation order in spite of the fact that it would be much easier for them to remove the thatch and cheaper to maintain an ordinary roof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4132/01]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

It is assumed that the question relates to the strengthened provisions for the protection of the built heritage introduced under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1999, now consolidated in the Planning and Development Act, 2000. Under these provisions, which became law on 1 January 2000, there is now a mandatory requirement on each planning authority to identify as protected structures all buildings which are considered to be of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view. All such structures must be included in the record of protected structures which forms part of the development plan. Each owner and occupier of a protected structure is legally obliged to ensure that the structure is preserved.

The procedures for the identification of protected structures ensure that owners and occupiers are given an opportunity to comment on any proposal by a planning authority to include a structure in the record of protected structures. Any comments made must be taken into account before the authority's elected members decide whether or not the structure should become a protected structure.

In May 1999, I introduced a scheme of grants to assist owners and occupiers of protected structures in undertaking necessary conservation works. The standard amount of grant is 50% of the approved cost of works, up to a maximum of £10,000. In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the approval of my Department, the maximum grant may be increased to £20,000.