Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
326. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding allocated to heritage sites and centres over the past six months by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25502/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF). To date, a combined sum of over €4.3m has been allocated to 450 built heritage projects across every county in the country this year. These projects are listed below by county.
I approved a further €1 million in funding nationally for the Historic Towns Initiative 2020, which is a joint initiative of my Department and the Heritage Council, which my Department funds. The Historic Towns Initiative is a dedicated programme for the heritage-led regeneration of historic towns. €1m has been awarded in 2020 for heritage led regeneration in the following towns
- Tralee, Co. Kerry
- Ramelton, Co. Donegal
- Ballina, Co. Mayo
- Roscommon, Co. Roscommon
- Sligo, Co. Sligo
- Clones, Co. Monaghan
The Heritage Council also has a role in allocating funding to heritage sites across the country through its own grant schemes. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how this funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually, having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. Grant schemes for 2020 are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
Responsibility for management and maintenance of historical buildings and sites in State ownership, and management of the visitor facilities, rests with the Office of Public Works (OPW) which also maintains a significant ongoing programme of conservation works. This year, my Department has allocated €350,000 to the OPW for the maintenance of historic buildings and sites.
In addition, the Irish Heritage Trust has responsibility for operating properties at Fota House, County Cork, Strokestown Park and the National Famine Museum, County Roscommon, and Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens, County Wexford. This year my Department has, to date, allocated €200,000 in capital to the Irish Heritage Trust towards heritage works at these locations.
I should also mention my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) provides ongoing funding support for the visitor and interpretive centres located in all our national parks, including introductory interpretive videos and customised leaflets and booklets focusing on the natural heritage of the area. These are updated from time to time as opportunity and resources allow.
Built Heritage Grant Scheme Allocations 2020 – by County
