Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2011
78 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the funds, if any, that have been made available for the upkeep or enhancement of St. Finbarre’s Cathedral Cork in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12285/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetween 2008 and 2010, St. Finbarre's Cathedral in Cork received €104,000 in funding for conservation works under the Civic Structures Conservation Grants Scheme, which is administered by my Department. In addition, the Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, provided funding of €310,500 for the cathedral under the Significant Places of Public Worship Grants Scheme between 2008 and 2010. I understand that St. Finbarre's Cathedral applied for funding under this scheme in 2011 but was unsuccessful in its application. Due to a significant reduction in the budgetary allocation for built heritage, the operation of the Civic Structures Conservation Grants Scheme has been suspended. Limited funding is being provided through a Structures at Risk Fund in 2011 to assist with works to safeguard structures protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010. Details of the operation of the fund have been issued to each local authority. The closing date for the receipt of applications under this scheme has passed. No application was received by my Department in respect of St. Finbarre's Cathedral for funding under the Structures at Risk Fund.
