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

The Deputy is correct. De-designation of SAC is provided for under the EU habitats directive. The basis for such de-designation is very narrow but a natural disaster is one of the possible reasons. It is difficult, but, having said that, we are continuing to work with the EU Commission on the matter.

There was another question on the €2 million fund. I presume the Deputy was referring to the €2 million under the built heritage investment scheme announced in October 2015. It has already leveraged almost €870,000 in private funding and 50 projects have commenced. I am keen to see it operate on a multiannual basis because there are extraordinary benefits in investing in our heritage. With that in mind as well as rural Ireland and towns and streetscapes, I will be making the case for another built heritage investment scheme. It is great for local communities. There is nothing like a heritage project to bring people together. People get extraordinary value from these projects, so I am hoping to get the support of Deputies on that in the budgetary process.