Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2018
622. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the grants or supports available for persons who seek to maintain buildings that are over 50 years old; and her plans to make grants and supports available to religious organisations that are struggling to maintain buildings that are over 100 years old. [17793/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFinancial support is provided by my Department through a number of schemes for the conservation and protection of historic buildings. These schemes are administered by local authorities and include the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund.
Projects to be funded under these schemes in 2018 were announced recently and details are available on all local authority websites and on my Department’s website. While the closing date for the 2018 schemes has now passed, my Department remains in contact with local authorities throughout the year to ensure the best possible use of funding, including by reallocating funds when, for example, projects do not go ahead.
In the context of a particular building, the best advice for the owner may be to contact the Architectural Conservation Officer or Heritage Officer in the local authority who will be able to advise on the various types of funding available to assist with the building.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. Grants are announced by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
