Vol. 520 No. 2
162 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of houses or buildings in County Kildare of historical and architectural importance which are deemed to be at risk; her plans for protection and restoration of such buildings and or sites; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15607/00]
I do not have the information requested by the Deputy and have no responsibility for providing information in relation to the condition of buildings.
Under the provisions of the Architectural Heritage (National Inventory) and Historic Monuments (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1999, a nationwide survey is currently being carried out by my Department to help identify structures and buildings which are of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. An interim survey covering County Kildare will be completed within the next two years.
In addition, under the provisions of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1999, each planning authority shall, for the purpose of protecting structures, or parts of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, include in its development plan a record of protected structures within its functional area. This legislation places a duty of care on the owners of protected structures and also gives planning authorities enhanced powers, not only to deal with development proposals affecting them, but also to safeguard their future. This is the proper framework for the protection of our architectural heritage.
