The Deputy will be aware that under the provisions of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1999, each planning authority is responsible for the purpose of protecting structures, or parts of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, for including 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.
I am supporting the planning authorities through the carrying out of a nation-wide survey by my Department under the provisions of the Architectural Heritage (National Inventory) and Historic Monuments (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1999 to help identify structures and buildings which are of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. As these surveys are carried out on an area geographic basis, elements such as the monuments referred to by the Deputy will be addressed as part of that process.
With regard to the issue of funding, all of the resources available to me in this area are dedicated to the completion of the surveys as quickly as possible.
