Written Answers Nos. 421-437
421. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she plans to introduce the renovation grants to restore properties in small towns and villages as was announced as part of the action plan for rural development; when details of the grants and application process will be made available to members of the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4232/17]
View answer427. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the action plan for rural development involves a commitment to provide grant assistance to persons that wish to refurbish old residential and non-residential buildings in rural communities; if so, the details; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4517/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 427 together.
The Action Plan for Rural Development contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work and to increase their tourism potential.
As part of Budget 2017, I have secured funding of €12 million for an enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme this year. This represents a trebling of the original 2016 baseline allocation of €4 million for the scheme. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2017 will be launched shortly and towns and villages to be included in the scheme will be selected through an application and assessment process. The scheme will be funded by my Department and administered by Local Authorities.
As part of the scheme, I intend to launch a pilot project to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. This pilot will be launched in the second half of the year, when details of the scheme have been finalised in consultation with relevant Departments. The pilot will examine ways in which properties that are currently not in use in town centres can be renovated to allow them to be used for residential purposes.
The Government’s Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which comes under the remit of the Minster for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, also includes a number of schemes which support the repair or refurbishment of properties.
422. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta ós rud é gur eagraíocht trasteorann é Foras na Gaeilge, agus mar gheall gur thug an rialtas ó dheas €750,000 sa bhreis dóibh in 2017, an bhfuil sé ar intinn aici brú a chur ar na páirtithe leasmhara ó thuaidh maoiniú comhoiread a chur ar fáil. [4165/17]
View answerMar a mhínigh mé i mo phreasráiteas ar 15 Nollaig 2016, tá maoiniú breise d’ os cionn €750,000 curtha san áireamh sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe 2017 don bhForas Teanga. Ar nós na bhForas Trasteorann ar fad, tháinig laghdú suntasach ar an maoiniú don bhForas Teanga le blianta beaga anuas. Sna cúinsí sin, caithfear a aithint go ndearna Foras na Gaeilge agus Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise araon iarracht thar barr chun a gcuid seirbhísí túslíne a chosaint. Cloisim ó na gníomhaireachtaí seo go rialta faoi na dúshláin reatha atá os a gcomhair agus, sa chomhthéacs sin, tá súil agam go mbeifear in ann cabhrú leo freastal níos fearr ar na cúraimí atá orthu ó thaobh cúrsaí teanga agus cultúir a chur chun cinn.
Mar is eol don Teachta, is í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas a cheadaíonn na buiséid do na Forais Trasteorann uile, An Foras Teanga san áireamh. Tá na buiséid do 2017 fós á bplé ag na Ranna Airgeadais san dá dhlínse agus ní féidir na pleananna gnó agus na buiséid do 2017 a chur faoi bhráid na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas go dtí go mbeidh comhaontú ar na buiséid ar fáil.
Is féidir liom a dheimhniú gurb é €13.989m an soláthar táscach sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe 2017 ó dheas chun freastal ar an mbúiséad a bheidh ceadaithe ag an gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas don bhForas Teanga amach anseo, mar aon le maoiniú imfhálaithe do Chlár na Leabhar Gaeilge agus Cholmcille. Caithfear a threisiú nach bhfuil aon soiléiriú ar chúrsaí meastacháin ó thuaidh go fóill sa chomhthéacs nach dtosaíonn an bhliain airgeadais ó thuaidh go dtí mí Aibreáin.
423. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there are exemptions to hedge cutting laws for contractors to cut hedgerows throughout the year, to allow for maintenance works on behalf of Eir and ESB Networks. [4338/17]
View answerSection 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. There is provision in section 40 (2) for some strict exemptions from the prohibition during the closed period which include the clearance of vegetation in the course of road or other construction works or in the development or preparation of sites on which buildings or other structures are to be provided. In addition, the cutting, grubbing or destruction of vegetation during the closed season is allowed in the course of works carried out for reasons of public health or safety by a Government Minister or a body established or regulated by or under a statute. Companies can apply to my Department for licences under the Wildlife Acts in cases of maintenance work to electricity or telephone lines which may involve disturbance or removal of bird nests.
Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, I announced proposals in December 2015 to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge cutting and burning at certain times within the existing closed period on a pilot two year basis. The legislation required to allow for these pilot measures is included in the Heritage Bill 2016, which was published in January 2016. The Bill is currently at Committee Stage in Seanad Éireann. In the meantime, the existing provisions relating to Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts remain in force.
424. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the manner in which the Action Plan for Rural Development will impact on County Meath; and the way in which it will affect and improve broadband in rural County Meath. [4345/17]
View answerThe Action Plan for Rural Development provides a framework of supports to improve the lives of people who live and work in rural Ireland. It is the first Plan of its kind to address both the economic and social needs of rural Ireland through a whole-of-Government approach. The Plan contains over 270 actions, all of which aim to support rural communities throughout the country. These actions are spread over five thematic pillars aimed at:
- Supporting Sustainable Communities,
- Supporting Enterprise and Employment,
- Maximising our Rural Tourism and Recreation Potential,
- Fostering Culture and Creativity in rural communities, and
- Improving Rural Infrastructure and Connectivity.
Initiatives under the Plan will be rolled out by various Government Departments and State agencies, and will benefit all rural communities, including those in Co. Meath.
One of the objectives outlined in the Action Plan for Rural Development is to bring high speed broadband to every premises in Ireland through the rollout of the National Broadband Plan (NBP). Under the NBP, 1.4m premises in Ireland now have access to high speed broadband, with investment by telecoms companies continuing. The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is in a procurement process to bring high speed broadband to those premises where services will not be provided by telecoms companies. In tandem with this, the Government is taking immediate steps to accelerate and facilitate the rollout of broadband and mobile phone services by implementing the recommendations of the report of the Taskforce on Mobile Phone and Broadband Access which was published last December.
Full details of these actions are contained in the Action Plan for Rural Development, which is available on www.ruralireland.ie.
425. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to the recent launch of the Action Plan for Rural Development, her plans to include the town of Rathkeale, County Limerick, by way of an enhanced town and village renewal scheme, in view of the need for the provision of moneys for the rejuvenation of the town centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4360/17]
View answerThe Action Plan for Rural Development contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work and to increase their tourism potential.
As part of Budget 2017, I have secured funding of €12 million for an enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme this year. This represents a trebling of the original 2016 baseline allocation of €4 million for the scheme.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2017 will be launched shortly, and towns and villages to be included in the scheme, including in County Limerick, will be selected through an application and assessment process. The scheme will be funded by my Department and administered by the Local Authorities.
Full details of the scheme and the application process will be made available when the scheme is launched.
426. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will consider opening up the membership list for the Chester Beatty Library which currently only has room for contributing members at a cost of €500, making this very exclusive and prohibitive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4457/17]
View answerThe issue to which the Deputy refers is a matter for the Board of the Chester Beatty Library. I have no role in the matter.
428. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she and her Department expect to be in a position to continue to utilise events of a cultural and heritage nature to promote the national image at home and abroad with particular reference to the need to generate increased interest in such matters among young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4588/17]
View answerMy Department will continue to support a broad range of programmes and initiatives across its remit to promote Ireland’s national image, including under the recently published Creative Ireland Programme and Action Plan for Rural Ireland. The Department’s Culture Ireland programme in particular will promote Irish culture on the world stage. The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme last year facilitated a heightened sense of shared identity and pride of country. Building on this, my Department has focused in recent months on the Reimagine phase of the Centenary Programme. This aims to create an enduring impact and long-term legacy of 2016, using the momentum and very positive public responses to the Remember and Reflect phases of the Programme. Following on from this the Government recently launched the Creative Ireland Programme – Clár Éire Ildánach 2017 – 2022.
This is a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. This will focus on boosting cultural provision and participation in communities and harnessing the goodwill and engagement generated by the 2016 commemorative programme.
The core proposition of this programme is that participation in cultural activity drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement. The programme is based on five pillars:
- Enabling the creative potential of every child
- Enabling creativity in every community
- Investing in our creative and cultural infrastructure
- Establishing Ireland as a centre of excellence in media production
- Unifying our global reputation.
I am confident that this programme will be very beneficial in promoting the national image at home and abroad and in increasing interest in cultural and heritage matters amongst young persons.
429. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which her Department continues to provide funding for the arts at local and community level, directly or indirectly, particularly in view of the recent Action Plan for Rural Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4589/17]
View answerThe Action Plan for Rural Development is the first whole-of-government strategy aimed at people living and working in rural Ireland. It aims to unlock the potential of rural Ireland through a framework of supports at national and local level which will ensure that people who live in rural areas have increased opportunities for employment locally, and access to public services and social networks that support a high quality of life.
The Action Plan is an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives right across Government which will benefit rural Ireland. It takes a cohesive and coordinated approach across the whole of Government to the implementation of both economic and social policies that impact on rural communities.
The Plan contains 276 actions which aim to improve both the economic and social fabric of rural Ireland spread across five pillars.
Arts and Heritage are covered under the fourth pillar of the plan - Fostering Culture and Creativity in Rural Communities
The key objectives of this Pillar are to:
- Increase access to the arts and enhance cultural facilities in rural communities.
- Further develop and enhance culture and creativity in rural Ireland through the establishment of culture teams and creativity hubs as part of the Creative Ireland Programme.
- Promote the Irish language as a key resource in Gaeltacht and other rural communities.
These objectives will be delivered as part of the work programme across my Department and its agencies, and in particular as part of the Creative Ireland Programme which was launched by the Taoiseach and I on 8 December last.
430. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she and her Department have identified the primary issues of concern among community groups in rural or urban settings whose quality of life has been diminished for one reason or another, such as rural isolation and urban or rural anti-social behaviour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4590/17]
View answerRealising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development, was launched on Monday 23 January in Ballymahon, Co. Longford. The Plan contains over 270 actions to be implemented by a range of Government Departments, agencies and other bodies to progress the economic and social development of rural Ireland.
In preparing the Action Plan, my Department conducted an extensive consultation process around the country to seek the views of people in rural Ireland on the issues of concern to them. The Plan includes a range of measure which will contribute significantly to the enhancement of local services and addressing social inclusion in rural areas. Specific examples of actions which will help those who feel isolated or vulnerable in rural areas include:
- The introduction of a new Community CCTV Grant Aid Scheme.
- Significant investment in the Seniors Alert Scheme, which facilitates valuable community based support for vulnerable older people living alone.
- Investment of €46 million in Garda fleet to ensure that Gardai are mobile, visible and responsive to prevent and tackle crime.
- Provision of support for local strategies across rural Ireland to address suicide and improve mental wellbeing.
- Maintaining the network of senior helplines in operation throughout the country, which offer a listening service for older people to help address issues such as loneliness and isolation in rural areas.
- Support for 450 Men’s Sheds across rural Ireland which provide a safe space where men can gather and participate in their communities, develop social networks and potentially gain new skills and access information.
- Continued support and prioritisation of community crime prevention through schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch and Text Alert.
The full Action Plan for Rural Development is available at www.ruralireland.ie.
431. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she and her Department continue to encourage internationally the use of Ireland as a film location with obvious beneficial economic implications; if difficulties have been encountered in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4591/17]
View answer433. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which the arts and heritage sectors continue to generate employment throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4593/17]
View answer441. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she and her Department expect to be in a position to enhance the promotion and development of an awareness of the arts and culture with a view to maximising economic benefit in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4601/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 431, 433 and 441 together.
My Department will continue to promote economic development of Ireland across its full remit, including for example, under the recently published Action Plan for Rural Ireland and Creative Ireland Programme.
In particular the Creative Ireland Programme is a five-year all-of-government initiative, from 2017 to 2022, which places creativity at the centre of public policy and aims to improve access to cultural and creative activity in every county across the country.
Under Pillar 2 of the Programme - Enabling Culture and Creativity in Every Community - each local authority will be asked to develop a Culture and Creativity Plan, reflecting the overall structure and aims of the national strategy for culture and creativity. Each local authority will establish a Culture Team bringing together arts offices, libraries, heritage offices and archives, along with other relevant functions – thus maximising synergies and cooperation.
The overarching, long-term objective of Pillar 4 - Ireland: A Centre of Excellence in Media Production - is to elevate the creative industries (including media, architecture, design, digital technology, fashion, food and crafts) drawing together, on an all-of-government basis, State agencies, industry partners and those engaged in fostering innovation in enterprise. As an initial project, the key focus will be on Ireland’s potential to be a global leader in film production, TV drama, documentary, children’s storytelling, and animation for the screen.
In this regard , my Department has commissioned an economic analysis of our screen based creative industries , in partnership with the Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation . This study will examine the economic impact including employment and the potential of the Irish film, TV and animation sector. The commissioning of the study is a commitment to in the Action Plan for Jobs 2016 and its recommendations will inform the development of policy in this area under the Creative Ireland Programme.
The Irish Film Board continues to support the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals, promotes inward investment, promotes the use of Ireland as a location for international production and provides support for companies filming in Ireland. The Board liaises with IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland to maximise joint opportunities for promotion of Ireland as a location for film productions.
432. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which her Department is currently engaged in restoration of major historical or cultural sites throughout the country at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4592/17]
View answerMy role, as Minister, with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets.
Under the provisions of the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014, my Department has established and maintains the Record of Monuments and Places, which affords legal protection to over 120,000 recorded archaeological sites and monuments in the State. Anyone proposing works to a monument that is included in the Record of Monument and Places must give my Department two months prior notice before works can start.
I also have a role, as Minister, in terms of being a prescribed body under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2015, whereby development proposals that may impact on our built heritage are referred by a planning authority to my Department so that recommendations can be made as appropriate to avoid or mitigate any such impacts.
My Department has a number of measures at its disposal to facilitate the maintenance and restoration of major historical or cultural sites. As Minister, I am the owner or guardian under the National Monuments Acts of approximately 1,000 national monuments located at approximately 750 sites and in such cases there is a statutory duty to maintain the national monument. Such maintenance is undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Local authorities are responsible under the National Monuments Acts for maintaining the national monuments of which they are owners or guardians.
My Department is also providing €350,000 of funding to the OPW in 2017 to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership. OPW undertakes the care and maintenance of national monuments in my ownership or guardianship (of which there are approximately 750). My Department’s National Monuments Service works in close collaboration with the OPW on survey, excavation and research work to optimise the protection, management, interpretation and presentation of national monuments in State care.
Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of architectural heritage. The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including relevant structures on the Record of Protected Structures. Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.
I launched a new €2 million scheme - the Built Heritage Investment Scheme - for the repair and conservation of protected structures on 21 October 2015. This scheme operated in 2016, via the local authorities, on the same model as the very successful Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme, which ran in 2014. It will operate again this year and is expected to support in excess of 330 projects across the country in 2017 and to create employment in the conservation and construction industries, while helping to regenerate urban and rural areas.
The Structures at Risk Fund enables conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, which are protected under the Planning and Development Acts and are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This fund, administered through the local authorities, supported 57 projects nationally in 2016. It seeks to encourage the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and to help to secure the preservation of protected structures which might otherwise be lost. The scheme will operate again in 2017.
434. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which the sector continues to attract support from philanthropists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4594/17]
View answerPrivate support for the arts is an important funding source and the Government continues to support this through tax incentives and other initiatives. The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to encourage strong, mutually beneficial links between the business community and the arts community to assist arts organisations to capitalise on sponsorship opportunities and to develop business partnerships and fundraising skills. In this regard, I recognise the important work carried out by Business to Arts for which my Department provides a small amount of assistance.
In addition, the Arts Council operates the RAISE programme, which seeks to enhance fund-raising skills in arts organisations with a view to diversifying the sector's sources of funding. It is designed to assist the sector in securing philanthropic contributions to the arts in Ireland.
In terms of other capital investment requiring co-funding, I have announced a new €9 million investment scheme for arts and cultural centres to run over the next three years, focussed on upgrading the existing stock of such centres around the country. The funding, which is being made available as part of the Capital Investment Framework 2016-2021,will be dependent on matching funding being secured by project promoters and will therefore provide an opportunity for philanthropists to involve themselves in the arts. I will be announcing the details of grants under this scheme very shortly.
The Deputy may also wish to know that, on December 8 last, the Taoiseach and I launched the Creative Ireland Programme/Clár Éire Ildánach as the Government’s Legacy Programme arising out of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025. The Creative Ireland Programme is a high-level, high-ambition, all-of-Government initiative to mainstream creativity in the life of the nation.
My Department is now working to implement the Creative Ireland Programme with partners across Government and other key stakeholders. This includes delivery on an ambitious Year 1 Programme to deliver 10 initiatives by the end of 2017. Details of the Programme can be found on www.creative.ireland.ie.
It is hoped that this initiative will further stimulate private support for the arts.
435. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plan and vision for the utilisation of Ireland's culture as an international national brand with consequent economic benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4595/17]
View answerCulture Ireland, a division of my Department, was established in 2005 with a clear brand and focussed remit to promote Irish arts worldwide. The grant funding scheme is designed to support the presentation and promotion of Irish arts internationally, to raise the global awareness of the Irish arts sector, generate new career opportunities and develop new audiences abroad for Irish artists. Strategic priorities include providing support for the international presentation of Irish artists and arts organisations, developing new and diverse international audiences and markets for Irish arts, and linking culture into the Government’s international promotion strategy in tandem with other relevant Government Agencies.
A budget of €3.5 million has been allocated to support the travel and travel related costs of artists in 2017 and this support will contribute to the strength of Ireland's reputation for creative excellence and make a significant impact on the arts internationally.
In addition to Culture Ireland, the Creative Ireland Programme, which the Taoiseach and I launched in December, places a special emphasis on unifying our Global reputation. Pillar 5 of the Programme - Unifying our Global Reputation- is about presenting a coherent representation of Ireland to the world as a creative people. This will seek to capture the overarching narrative of Ireland’s unique creativity and cultural heritage. The Government’s intentions in this regard were welcomed when I launched the Creative Ireland Programme on the international stage in New York on 13 January.
436. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which valuable archeological sites continue to be protected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4596/17]
View answerAll known archaeological monuments, of which there are in excess of 130,000, are entitled to protection under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004. Protection may be extended to previously unrecorded monuments by entering them in the Register of Historic Monuments or the Record of Monuments and Places. The Acts allow me to make a preservation order where I consider a national monument to be at risk.
As Minister, I am the owner or guardian under the National Monuments Acts of approximately 1,000 national monuments located at approximately 750 sites. Maintenance of such monuments is undertaken on my behalf by the Office of Public Works. Local authorities are responsible under the Acts for maintaining the national monuments of which they are owners or guardians.
My Department records all reports of damage to recorded monuments. Such reports usually emanate from members of the public, local authorities or heritage-based NGOs. Prosecutions in respect of damage to recorded monuments are initiated by my Department where warranted and there have been a number of convictions for such offences in recent years.
437. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which any particular historical sites or buildings in County Kildare are deemed to be at risk; the action taken or pending to address any such issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4597/17]
View answerMy Department has a number of measures at its disposal to facilitate the restoration of major historical or cultural sites.
Under the National Monuments Acts, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is the owner or guardian of approximately 1,000 national monuments located at approximately 750 sites and in such cases there is a statutory duty to maintain the national monument. Such maintenance is undertaken by the Office of Public Works. Local authorities are responsible under the National Monuments Acts for maintaining the national monuments of which they are owners or guardians. A wide range of other monuments (in the order of 130,000) are currently subject to protection under other provisions of the National Monuments Acts but my Department and the Office of Public Works do not have a direct role in their maintenance except where, as already noted, a monument is a national monument of which the Minister is owner or guardian.
My role, as Minister, with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as is the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets.
Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of architectural heritage. The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including relevant structures on the Record of Protected Structures. Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future. As Minister, I draw on information provided by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, maintained by my Department, to recommend structures for inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures. However, the final decision is a reserved function of the planning authority. I understand that Kildare County Council employs both an architectural conservation officer and a heritage officer. There is also a monuments advisory committee in the county.
In addition to the statutory role of Local Authorities, Financial support is provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings, such as the Structures at Risk Fund, which funded two projects in the county mentioned during 2016, and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme which provided funding for eleven projects in that county during 2016. I was pleased to announce this week that both schemes will run again in 2017 - details are available on the local authority website.
Well maintained historic buildings contribute positively to the vitality of our cities, towns, villages and countryside. Local communities have a great sense of pride in their built heritage, which in turns can help to provide an important source of local employment by boosting tourism.
If the Deputy requires more detail on specific programmes or plans, I will be happy to provide this information.
