Vol. 509 No. 6
488 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will supply a comprehensive list of buildings of historic, architectural and cultural importance in the ownership of Departments; the condition of these; and if she has satisfied herself that these buildings are properly maintained. [21295/99]
489 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the action, if any, she will take to compile a list of buildings of architectural merit which are in the use or ownership of Departments; and the measures, if any, she is taking to ensure that these buildings, which may not be on local government listings, are protected. [21296/99]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 488 agus 489 le chéile.
The compilation of lists of buildings of architectural merit is being carried out through the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. This is a systematic survey of the built heritage of the State and it will assist planning authorities in carrying out their function of ensuring the protection of that heritage.
The most cost effective approach to carrying out surveys under the NIAH is to survey the built heritage in defined geographical areas rather than attempting to carry out thematic surveys. One of the ten urban surveys published last year was for Kilkenny City and it provided a rating of the built heritage in that area, including buildings in public sector ownership. The surveys would not have dealt with detailed condition reports on buildings as the purpose of the exercise is to provide fundamental information on what structures were of heritage value. Work will continue on the NIAH on this basis and priority will be given to interim county surveys over the next two years.
There is no separate list of buildings in the ownership of public authorities. Given the strategic approach to the compilation of the NIAH, it is not desirable that priority be diverted to such a thematic survey. Nevertheless, I have set up a working group to examine the issues surrounding the protection of buildings of architectural merit in public ownership and will be publishing their findings when I have considered them.
490 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of buildings in the ownership of the State on the buildings at risk register; the measures she intends to take to safeguard their future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21297/99]
The Register of Buildings at Risk is an initiative of the Heritage Council, which is an independent statutory body established under the Heritage Act, 1995. The register is compiled by the Heritage Council and I understand that only buildings which have been nominated by their owners may be included on it. I have no function in relation to the register, either in the context of deciding which buildings are included on it or which owners should receive grant assistance from the Heritage Council. However, I understand from the council that, to date, some 379 buildings have been listed on the register, including 13 buildings in the ownership of public authorities. These include nine buildings in the ownership of local authorities, three buildings in the ownership of health boards, and one building in the ownership of a Department.
In general, the Deputy will be aware that, under the terms of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1999, the primary responsibility for the protection of the architectural heritage rests with the planning authorities. Any owner or occupier of a building which has been included in the list of protected structures compiled by a planning authority will have a duty of care to ensure that the building is not in any way endangered. This applies equally to the public and private sectors. Furthermore, the Heritage Act, 1995, provides the Heritage Council with the authority to consult with public authorities regarding developments which may affect buildings in the ownership of those public authorities and which I have designated as heritage buildings on the advice of the council. This measure provides significant additional legislative protection to buildings of architectural heritage in public authority ownership.
The Deputy may also be interested to know that the question of the protection of historic buildings in public authority ownership is being considered by the interdepartmental working group on architectural policy.
