Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
321. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter regarding the deadline for heritage grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24986/20]
View answerMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes, which are, in the main, administered by the Local Authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF). Both schemes are run on an annual funding cycle and, in general, all funds must be drawn down and claimed within the same calendar year in which they are awarded. In light of delays due to Covid-19 and related public health measures over the course of this year, I have extended the draw-down deadline for Local Authorities to 10 November.
While the October deadline to which you refer has been set by the Local Authority in order to ensure timely online submission and drawdown from my Department, my best advice to any grantee who has concerns about their ability to complete in time is to engage as soon as possible with their Local Authority Architectural Conservation Officer who may be in a position to extend the deadline within reason.
