Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
767. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he and his Department have examined any proposals or projects within the remit of his Department which might result in alleviation of youth unemployment with particular reference to historic sites, buildings or locations requiring particular or specific action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38834/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware of the research report on the Economic Value of Ireland’s Historic Environment, published in 2012, which establishes that heritage conservation and tourism have very significant economic value and that Ireland’s historic environment supports over 35,000 jobs. The report, commissioned by the Heritage Council and prepared under the direction of a steering committee chaired by my Department, provides comprehensive evidence-based data that supports and enhances our innate understanding of the importance of our built heritage in supporting employment.
Whilst not specifically presenting the data with reference to youth, the report indicates that capital investment in built heritage conservation provides significant employment in the construction industry, while also assisting in developing and maintaining specialised skills among conservation professionals and craftspeople. While funding for investment in heritage is particularly limited at present, my Department will continue to provide funding within available resources for the protection, conservation and development of our built and natural heritage, which will in turn generate employment. In May, for example, I approved offers of funding to thirty-four local authorities under my Department’s Structures at Risk Fund to enable conservation works to forty-five heritage structures from my Department's 2013 Built Heritage Capital Programme. As the Deputy will appreciate, small but targeted heritage grants can incentivise job-rich investment in existing assets, particularly given that built heritage conservation work is labour intensive and uses high-end craft and professional skills.
In addition, my Department has committed to consider initiatives in traditional building skills and energy efficiency in traditionally built structures in conjunction with relevant stakeholders. Whilst not their primary focus, it is anticipated that employment generation would arise from these initiatives.
