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Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 November 2021

Wednesday, 3 November 2021

Questions (100)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

100. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the safeguards in place to ensure that projects funded under the community monument fund meet higher academic and conservation standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53528/21]

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Written answers

The Community Monuments Fund was first established as part of the 2020 July Jobs Stimulus in response to the Covid emergency. Over 2020 and 2021, some 200 heritage projects have been funded to the value of €5.35 million. The grants available under the Community Monuments Fund help custodians and owners of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of local communities and the visiting public. In addition they provide support for heritage professions and job opportunities in archaeology, building conservation and traditional skills.

The National Monuments Service of my Department, which manages the scheme, observes and complies with strict archaeological and conservation principles in awarding funding and has project controls in place to ensure the highest standards are met. All successful applicants to the Community Monuments Fund are expected to adhere to the highest standards which are set out very clearly in the explanatory memorandum for the grant scheme which is circulated and made available publically upon the opening of the call for applications. This includes the need to have qualified heritage professionals engaged on each project teams and adherence to consents and permissions prescribed under the National Monuments Acts, as well as requirements as part of the payment recoupments process.

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