Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
732. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the 2020 decision on the built heritage investment scheme will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10048/20]
View answerMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through 2 grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities.
These Built Heritage Capital Grant schemes, with funding of just over €4m, have the potential to provide much needed economic stimulus as they operate right across the country in all local authority areas and provide employment for the many small businesses, skilled conservation specialists and tradespeople involved in heritage-related construction activity, supporting numerous small-scale conservation projects. This will help to sustain specialist heritage businesses whilst the market recovers.
I will shortly be announcing details of projects to be funded, as public health restrictions allow, under both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2020 and the Historic Structures Fund 2020. Details of the projects, including the amounts to be allocated to each local authority, will be published on my Department’s website and on local authority websites.
In the light of COVID-19, any grant offer will include a requirement that works be carried out in accordance with the National Return to Work Safely Protocol as well as all public health and safety measures determined by the Government and HSE. It will be the responsibility of each project manager to monitor and ensure compliance with the most up to date and accurate information from the Government and the HSE websites.
