Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013
75. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he is satisfied with the current resources allocated to the Heritage Council; if he believes the current operation of the Heritage Council is satisfactory; if he foresees an increase in the Heritage Council’s budget next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44511/13]
View answer95. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action he will take to ensure that the Heritage Council is in a position to award grants to local authorities and other bodies as it did previously. [43520/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 95 together.
The scope to provide additional funding for the protection, conservation and development of the State's heritage is constrained by the current national economic difficulties and the significant reduction in the public finances. The Heritage Council had sought additional funds to enable it to recommence its grants scheme and I am pleased to say that the Estimates for my Department published last week provide for a small increase in the allocation from my Department's vote to the Heritage Council. This is subject to final confirmation in the Revised Estimates.
It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports in 2013 and future years having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. However, the additional funding which I have provided should assist the Council in re-establishing its grants scheme. In 2012 the Heritage Council was subject to a critical review of its operations by my Department. The report and recommendations of this review were accepted by Government in October 2012.
Officials in my Department are currently working on amendments to the Heritage Act 1995 to give effect to the recommendations of this review. My Department will continue to provide funding for the protection, conservation and development of our built and natural heritage, in so far as resources allow.
