Ms Virginia Teehan:

I share the Deputy's interest in placenames or logainmneacha. We have funded some rural-based projects which record field names. I agree that there is an anonymisation of our urban centres in particular and a loss of placenames. We would be happy to take it up in the future to ensure there is retention of the sense of place.

For community-based heritage, the leadership that I mentioned earlier is key. The role that local authorities play in providing leadership is very helpful. Community groups are mainly peopled by volunteers. We get some great people. We get community groups that go through ups and downs, for a variety of reasons, but they need support - financial support from us and support and leadership from their communities. Ms Moloney and I saw an excellent example of community leadership last week in County Offaly, where the Offaly Archives were opened and they are actually contracting out a service to the local authority. There is an excellent history society which is developing a service of local value. That is a very important service. There are some very good examples of community practice across Ireland and our community fund seeks to support them. Communities need leadership and support.