Austin Deasy
Ceist:7 Mr. Deasy asked the Taoiseach if he will outline additional incentives available, through his Department, to centres which have been classified as heritage towns.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Heritage Towns.
Funding for projects relating to the physical heritage is available from the National Heritage Council, subject to my approval. The council have already assisted a project in a town now designated as a heritage town.
The question of whether to offer grant assistance to projects is entirely a matter for the council who have complete independence in deciding on the priorities for grant assistance and the amount, if any, in each case. It would be a matter for those concerned with projects in heritage towns to make application direct to the council.
There seems to be a lack of knowledge among the towns which have been designated in regard to what grants are available. Will the Taoiseach make available to Members — or ask the National Heritage Council to say exactly what they propose to do — the rate of grant and in what circumstances the grants will be awarded?
There are no such general guidelines. The National Heritage Council deal with each application on its individual merits.