Heritage features of the nature referred to by the Deputy are protected by their inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS), which is the responsibility of the local authority to maintain. Inclusion on the RPS also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.
My Department’s National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) records heritage features of the nature referred to. In the county in question, the NIAH recorded 42 such features.
The NIAH survey can be viewed on www.buildingsofireland.ie.
Those rated of regional significance or above are included in recommendations to planning authorities, made under section 53 of the Planning and Development Act, as amended, for inclusion on their RPS.