Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 October 2006
331 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make contact with South Dublin County Council and offer assistance with regard to the need to preserve, protect and develop a house (details supplied) in Dublin 24; his views on the historical significance of this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31229/06]
View answerStatutory protection of the architectural heritage is primarily a matter for the planning authorities to whom my Department provides advice in the exercise of their functions in that regard under the Planning and Development Act 2000.
Under the provisions of the Act, each planning authority is required, for the purpose of protecting structures, or parts of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, to include in its development plan a Record of Protected Structures within its functional area. This may be done at the time of the preparation of the development plan, or where appropriate, at any other time. The making of an addition to, or a deletion from, a Record of Protected Structures is a reserved function.
I understand that the building referred to in the Question is included in the Record of Protected Structures for South Dublin County Council which was published in the development plan in December 2004. I am satisfied that the use of the Planning Acts, together with the County Council acting vigilantly and proactively to ensure the status of the building on the Record of Protected Structures, are appropriate in relation to its protection.
My Department funds a scheme of grants for the conservation of protected buildings, which is administered by the local authorities. It is a matter for each individual local authority to assess and prioritise applications and approve funding. The scheme is aimed at assisting owners and occupiers to carry out conservation works on structures which are included in the Record of Protected Structures.
