Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 February 2018
42. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding available for the built heritage investment scheme and structures at risk fund for 2018 to support the repair and conservation of historic buildings in County Kildare and nationwide; when a decision will be made on these schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10021/18]
View answerThe Built Heritage Investment Scheme is a scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures (i.e. structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures). The scheme supports heritage projects across the country and creates employment in the conservation and construction industries, while helping to regenerate urban and rural areas, and is co-ordinated by each local authority. My Department has allocated €2m under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2018, of which €50,000 is the indicative amount for County Kildare.
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. Local authorities have submitted applications to my Department and they will shortly be assessed by an expert panel. Successful applicants will be notified by their local authority shortly thereafter. My Department has allocated €1,324,000 under the Structures at Risk Fund 2018. While there is no specific allocation for each local authority, I can confirm that applications have been received in respect of County Kildare.
While applications from members of the public for both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund 2018 have been accepted in local authorities throughout the month of January and have now closed, projects are kept under review throughout the year with a view to supporting additional projects in lieu of those that do not start or accept initial offers of grant in aid. I hope to be in a position to notify local authorities in respect of both schemes by the end of March.
