Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:45 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on whether adequate steps are being taken to conserve houses and castles of architectural and historic interest. [24467/98]
Written Answers - Architectural Heritage.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:167 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, she has for the preservation of heritage buildings in respect of which she does not have direct responsibility by way of ownership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25146/98]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 45 agus Uimh. 167 le chéile.
The Deputies will be aware of the package of measures announced by myself and my colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, in May last. These measures, legislative, financial and administrative, are intended to strengthen the protection of our architectural heritage, including houses and castles of architectural and historical interest.
The legislative measures include a new planning Bill, to be brought forward by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, which will give comprehensive protection to buildings and structures of architectural, artistic and historic importance, and a Bill to place the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, which is currently being carried out by Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, on a statutory basis. The latter Bill is currently being finalised and I expect to be able to publish it shortly.
The package of measures also includes the establishment of a new grant-aid scheme for approved conservation works to protected, listed buildings which will commence in 1999. This scheme will be administered by local authorities and will have funding of approximately £4 million per annum. It will be operated in accordance with national criteria and standards which are being drawn up by an advisory group made up of representatives of my own Department, the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the Heritage Council. In addition, in the context of the preparation of a National Heritage Plan by my Department, further policy areas relating to the protection of the architectural heritage will be developed.