Cathal Crowe
Question:218. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has any plans to acquire a property in County Clare (details supplied). [2260/24]
View answerThursday, 18 January 2024
Questions (218)
Written answers
In respect of acquiring or accepting properties, my Department acquires heritage structures and monuments, which are either of national importance or strategic importance, from time to time as resources and opportunities permit. Usually this is in the interests of the preservation, conservation and management of monuments or sites. Such acquisitions are considered within the context of available resources which includes public expenditure management considerations.
In all cases, my Department assesses potential acquisitions carefully, taking into consideration similar existing properties within the State portfolio, gaps in the State portfolio, any conservation works required, and the cost of acquisition and maintenance over the short and longer term to the Exchequer. Accordingly, my Department is only ever in a position to make a very limited number of heritage acquisitions as all related expenditure must be met from within existing voted allocations.The property which you refer to has not been considered for acquisition by the National Monuments Service.