Niamh Smyth
Question:51. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress on the built heritage investment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40727/17]
View answerWednesday, 27 September 2017
Questions (51)
Written answers
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), which I launched in 2015, is one of a number of State financial supports that provide for the conservation and preservation of heritage structures.
The scheme is operated via the local authorities. In 2016, the scheme supported over 270 projects across the country, creating over 17,000 days of employment in the conservation and construction industries, while helping to regenerate urban and rural areas. The scheme also leveraged aggregate investment of just under €5.5 million, more than double the scheme’s allocation of €2 million.
The 2017 Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) was announced in January 2017 with an initial allocation of €2 million. I was delighted to approve an additional €1.5 million for the scheme subsequently, bringing the total allocation for the 2017 scheme to €3.5 million.
Nationwide, more than 500 projects across 31 local authority areas received funding approval in 2017.
The vast majority of these projects are now on site with a number of them already completed. My Department keeps in close contact with all local authorities throughout the year to ensure the smooth running of the scheme and that the best possible use of funding is achieved by reallocating funding in cases where projects are unable to proceed.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is very popular and successful and I expect the full €3.5 million to be expended in 2017, supporting the owners of protected structures, creating employment in traditional construction and leveraging and encouraging private investment in protecting our heritage buildings.