My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through a number of schemes which are generally administered by local authorities.
The Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) enables conservation works to heritage structures in both private and public ownership, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. I have allocated €1.3m for the SRF in 2018. Details of the projects approved under the SRF are published on my Department’s website and local authority websites.
While the closing date for the SRF 2018 has now passed, officials of my Department remain in contact with local authorities throughout the year to ensure the best use of all funds under the scheme, including the reallocation of funds which may become available where, for example, projects do not proceed.
My Department occasionally receives applications for urgent funding where a need has arisen in the course of the year. Such applications are subject to the availability of funding and are considered on a case by case basis. The architectural and historical significance of the structure is, of course, taken into account. This is just one of the assessment criteria used. The full list of assessment criteria and the terms and conditions governing the Structures at Risk Fund are available on my Department's website and all local authority websites.
In relation to the structure mentioned by the Deputy, I understand that extensive advice and assistance has been provided by my Department officials and the Architectural Conservation Officer in the local authority and on foot of this advice an application for urgent funding was submitted very recently. This application will now be assessed in the usual way and a decision will be issued in due course.
In the meantime, the best advice for owners, in relation to individual historic structures, is generally to remain in contact with the Architectural Conservation Officer in their local authority who is well placed to provide expert advice and assistance.
