The commitment to establish a scheme of grants for the conservation of protected buildings was announced in May 1998, as part of a comprehensive programme of action by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, and myself in relation to architectural heritage. The programme also includes two new Bills, introduced in the Seanad in December 1998, and the provision of additional funding to enable relevant authorities to meet their new responsibilities in relation to architectural heritage.
Draft terms and conditions of the proposed scheme, including eligibility criteria, are now being finalised in my Department following the completion of the work of an advisory group representative of my Department, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht, and the Islands, the Heritage Council and the City and County Managers Association. Subject to these terms and conditions, county borough corporations and county councils will have responsibility for the administration of the scheme and will have discretion in prioritising applications and determining the amounts of grant payable. I intend to announce full details of the scheme shortly.
