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Historic Towns Initiative

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Ceisteanna (404)

Dara Murphy

Ceist:

404. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht with regard to the historic towns initiative, the restrictions on planning permissions; if there any other negative impacts on growing and enlarging a town that has been designated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25958/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department is currently promoting the role which Ireland’s heritage has to play in making our country an attractive destination for sustainable tourism and inward investment. It is in this context that my Department is developing the heritage-led Historic Towns Initiative in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland and the Heritage Council. A pilot programme for this initiative in Westport, Youghal and Listowel operated through 2013 and will conclude in 2014. My primary objective with this pilot is to ensure that the participating towns of Westport, Youghal and Listowel have access to, and an understanding of, appropriate guidance to assist them in best conserving their heritage assets and, in so doing, underpin the sustainability of their community and local economy. It is my hope that meeting these goals will also, by extension, significantly enhance the visitor experience in these towns, thus helping to maximise the potential positive contribution of tourism to each of these towns and their respective hinterlands.

Each town has set up a local Historic Towns Initiative working group consisting of representatives of local government, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders. The local groups are responsible for drawing up a vision for their town with specific objectives supported by a clear action plan. Funding was allocated by my Department and by Fáilte Ireland to the towns for projects in 2013 and again by my Department in 2014. Projects funded under the initiative include public realm enhancement works, heritage interpretation works and conservation works to heritage structures.

All projects undertaken on foot of the initiative in the pilot towns are governed by the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The responsibilities under the Act as regards development proposals to planning authorities remain the same and are not affected by the Historic Towns Initiative. There is currently no statutory designation directly associated with the Historic Towns Initiative.

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