Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 February 2017
164. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of funding that will be allocated in 2017 to Cavan County Council in respect of heritage projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6512/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra165. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of funding that will be allocated in 2017 to Monaghan County Council in respect of heritage projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6513/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
There are a number of ways in which my Department acts in respect of possible heritage sites/buildings deemed to be at risk. Financial support is provided through a number of structured schemes for the repair, conservation, preservation or safeguarding of protected structures, sites or monuments.
The Structures at Risk Fund seeks to encourage the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and to help to secure the preservation of protected structures, in both private and public ownership, which might otherwise be lost. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) was developed to assist with the repair and conservation of structures that are protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
Both these schemes are administered through the local authorities and I recently announced that they will be open for applications throughout the month of February. It is a matter for each local authority to invite applications and to submit them to my Department by the due dates. On receipt, applications will be examined by my Department and I will announce funding allocations in due course, including to the two local authorities in question.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. The announcement of any proposed grant schemes for 2017 will be advertised by the Heritage Council on www.heritagecouncil.ie.
My Department is also providing €350,000 of funding to the OPW in 2017 to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership. OPW undertakes the care and maintenance of national monuments in my ownership or guardianship (of which there are approximately 750). My Department’s National Monuments Service works in close collaboration with the OPW on survey, excavation and research work to optimise the protection, management, interpretation and presentation of national monuments in State care.
