Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Both the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, and I will make some introductory remarks on the heritage programme. Funding of €44 million has been made available from my Department’s heritage programme. This includes €35.4 million allocated for current expenditure, with a further €8.6 million in capital funding. The protection of Ireland’s unique raised bog special areas of conservation is a key concern, as is the avoidance of major fines by the European Court of Justice. That is reflected in the allocation of a further €1 million in 2016 for peatlands restoration. Priority is also continuing to be given to the turf cutter compensation schemes and investment in alternative turf cutting sites for affected turf cutters.

The Government committed in a programme for a partnership Government to the continuation of current processes involving all stakeholders affected by measures put in place to meet the conservation objectives and legal obligations on the State under the habitats directive.

I announced the built heritage investment scheme, which was based on a highly successful built heritage jobs leverage scheme. It was allocated €2 million for the 2016 budget to protect our built heritage and create and protect employment across the country. The scheme for 2016 was announced in October, with capital of €2 million available to 31 local authorities, to which responsibility for administering the scheme has been devolved. City and county authorities are participating in the scheme and, to date, 50 projects have commenced, with eight now completed. The amount of privately leveraged funding is €869,000, with a total of 1,888 days of employment created.

The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, will speak on the Estimate as it relates to the national parks and nature reserves.