Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2019
323. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 13 February 2019, the details of the review of the various actions concluded under the Government's policy on architecture 2009-2015; the actions that have been completed; the status of actions 1 to 29 in action on architecture 2002-2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11154/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government Policy on Architecture (GPA) 2009-2015 was the subject of three periodic reports which are published on my Department’s website. The policy was also reviewed by way of presentation and discussion at two conferences, in July 2017 and March 2018. These conferences reviewed the policy actions with specific emphasis on reuse of urban buildings and places.
The GPA 2009-2015 was designed to be implemented via three strands: actions led by the Department; an open call for expressions of interest to carry out 20 priority actions; and support to enable stakeholders to carry out other actions in the policy.
Each year until 2016, calls for applications for direct grant aid were issued and projects, publications and events were supported. The implementation of many actions was adjusted from the initial design in order to address current priorities better, while other actions provided a springboard for initiatives by third parties. The outputs are set out in the three reports on the policy implementation, mentioned above.
The implementation of Action on Architecture 2002-2005 coincided with the restructuring of departments following the general election of 2002, when the responsibilities of the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, which had published the policy, were divided among a number of departments. A number of actions were carried out by key stakeholders and those which were not completed were carried forward into the following policy.
One of the notable successes of the 2002-2005 policy was the establishment of the Irish Architecture Foundation. This remains a key partner in promoting public engagement with architecture, including by excellent initiatives such as Open House and Architects in Schools.
