Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 July 2014
277. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports available from his Department to support those persons who have structures including estate walls which are in need of investment to conserve them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29995/14]
View answerAs the Deputy can appreciate, the scope for funding for the conservation of the built heritage is currently constrained by the significant reduction in the public finances. Nonetheless, I keep the competing priorities regarding the preservation and enhancement of the national heritage under ongoing review, having regard to the resources available to my Department. In this regard, earlier this year I approved in principle the allocation of €5 million under the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme for repair and conservation to over 600 structures protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012. Owners of protected structures throughout the country will benefit from this scheme in 2014. This scheme is directly administered by city and county local authorities.
Under Section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 as amended, owners and/or occupiers of approved heritage buildings and/or gardens can apply for tax relief in respect of expenditure incurred on repair, maintenance or restoration, on the condition that they open the property to the public. In order to be approved for this relief, a building/garden must be intrinsically of significant scientific, historical, architectural or aesthetic interest and reasonable access to the property must be afforded to the public.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of heritage. I understand that funding is fully allocated under Heritage Council programmes in 2014.
