Denis Naughten
Question:82 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government his plans to increase the heritage grants available to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28334/03]
Written Answers. - Architectural Heritage.
I refer to subhead E10 in the Abridged Estimates Volume for 2004 which indicates a provision of €3.29 million for architectural protection grants. This includes a capital provision of €2.9 million in respect of grants by the local authorities to assist owners of protected structures and a current provision of €390,000 to assist local authorities in employing conservation officers. The corresponding amounts for 2003 were €2.888 million and €380,000, respectively.
In addition, my Department provides funding to the Heritage Council which operates a grant scheme, that, inter alia, provides for the protection of heritage buildings and sites. Overall funding provided to the Heritage Council has been increased from €7.048 million in 2003 to €7.1 million in 2004. Local authorities are among the bodies which can benefit under this scheme.