Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir. Moore Street is certainly progressing. I am aware that this issue is frustrating and that the Senator has been raising it consistently. My understanding is the design team has been appointed. I will be dealing with the Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill this afternoon in the Dáil and I give an assurance that we will be on site on Moore Street very soon.

To add to what the Minister said on vacancy, especially the expansion of Croí Cónaithe announced today, not all local authorities have conservation officers. That is something we are exploring further with the City and County Managers Association, CCMA. We would like to get conservation officers in every local authority, similar to the way we have had an expansion in the number of biodiversity officers with the Heritage Council. We are also having discussions with the vacancy unit in the Department on providing conservation advice to those considering restoring vacant properties. Many of them are heritage properties from the 19th century and early 20th century so it is important they are restored in a way that is thermally efficient and allows them to function well and perform as they should as heritage buildings. That is an important extension and addition to Croí Cónaithe.