Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 2

Written Answers. - Conservation Works.

David Stanton

Question:

369 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the grant aid and other assistance available to people living in buildings that are protected or listed or the subject of preservation orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23691/01]

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

My Department is funding a scheme of grants for protected – listed – buildings under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1999. The scheme, which is administered by the local authorities, is aimed at assisting owners and occupiers to carry out conservation works on listed or other buildings which would be considered worthy of preservation.

Local authorities have been advised that the grant aid should be made available only for con servation works. While replacement works may qualify in exceptional circumstances it is a matter for the local authority concerned to assess and prioritise each application on its merits.

The standard amount of grant is 50% of the approved cost of the works, up to a maximum of IR£10,000, 12,697.38. A local authority may, at its discretion, vary this amount downwards or, in exceptional circumstances, upwards, subject to a maximum allowable grant of 75% of the approved cost of works, or IR£20,000, 25,394.76, whichever is the lesser.

A sum of IR£4,485,000, 5,690,966, has been made available in 2001 under this scheme.