The Estimates for my Department for the current year provide for expenditure of £2.33 million by the Heritage Council for nonadministrative purposes — Subhead P.2 of Vote 42. These moneys are transferred in instalments — which have been agreed with the Council — from my Department to the Council during the course of the year.
The Heritage Council has powers under the Heritage Act, 1995, to provide advice and assistance — including financial assistance — to persons and bodies in relation to the protection, preservation and promotion of the physical heritage. The question of the sanction and payment of grants for such proposals is solely a matter for the Heritage Council in the exercise of its powers and functions as a statutory autonomous body under that Act.