Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2020
81. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be supported to engage his officials and the HSE to carry out of a historic landscape assessment and a conservation plan on the Brú Chaoimh in Cork Street, Dublin 2. [38270/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Built Heritage Division is aware of the significance of the built heritage of Brú Chaoimhín and has recorded several buildings there on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH). With regard to the safeguarding of protected structures, Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect architectural heritage by including particular structures on their respective Records of Protected Structures (RPS). Inclusion on the RPS places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with any development proposals affecting them. I understand that Dublin City Council has included these buildings on its Record of Protected Structures (RPS).
The question of planning permission for development at that location is a matter between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Dublin City Council.
The National Monuments Service has been engaged for some time with the HSE, as owner of the site, in relation to the proposals to undertake certain conservation works at the burial ground mentioned in your email. On foot of those discussions, also involving Dublin City Council, the HSE commissioned a condition assessment and conservation report of the graveyard last year. This accords with best practice as a first step in managing such a heritage site.
The making of a landscape assessment and conservation plan for the buildings is also a matter for the HSE itself. However, the Heritage Council published ‘Historic Landscape Characterisation in Ireland: Best Practice Guidance’, in 2013, which may be of assistance. The Heritage Council may also be able to assist through its Community Grants Scheme, which it will be running in 2021. Details will be announced by the Heritage Council in due course.
