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

I thank the Deputy. I will come in on a couple of points and then I will ask Mr. Sinnott to come in on the specifics around the figures. Deputy Devlin mentioned the figure of 2,000 which is an estimate. As I said, the survey is ongoing. I also referenced thatch-under-tin which can be seen all over the country where there is a galvanised roof with thatch underneath. When I heard that figure, I was shocked and it is a very sad indictment that we are losing these important heritage buildings at such a rate and that is why we developed the vernacular strategy. In other countries, such as Denmark and the UK, the numbers of thatched properties are actually increasing. It is quite stark.

The Deputy is right that the advice and guidance given by architectural conservation officers is not universal. In some counties perhaps some thatched property owners may not feel the support is there and maybe that is down to the absence of a conservation officer in their local authority. It is essential we have those skills in local authorities. Second, on the point about skills, the wider strategy group is addressing. It is looking to try to source and grow native materials in Ireland that can be used in thatching, such as wheat and straw. We are undertaking a piece of work with the Heritage Council around our tradition of vernacular skills and ensuring we have a co-ordinated approach to it. I have met thatchers who have only learned the profession in the last couple of years. Many people are interested in it, both men and women, and it is fantastic to see that. We need to promote that and ensure the skillset is out there to maintain the properties we have. I would ultimately like to see more of them. One of the representatives present in the Public Gallery has a new thatched property, so we want to see more of that and do not want to lose them.

I will ask Mr. Sinnott to come in on the other question.