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

A lot of good work is ongoing in the heritage division within my Department. At the end of January, I, along with the CEO of the Heritage Council, Michael Starrett, launched the 2017 funding schemes which fund the conservation and protection of heritage buildings. Of course, there were cuts to the Heritage Council but I am glad I have been able to increase funding and then increase it again this year. The Heritage Council does a tremendous amount of good work in terms of working with communities and engaging with their heritage through community projects, and heritage week is extremely successful. A number of heritage projects have been funded throughout the country and these create employment in the conservation and construction industries while at the same time helping to regenerate urban and rural areas.

To give some examples with which the Deputy will be familiar, the restored gate lodge in Castleblayney received €30,000 under the structures at risk fund. This has been completed and the gate lodge has been wonderfully restored and is now in full use. Cavan and Belturbet parish churches and the parochial house in Cootehill are important local projects which have received funding under the built heritage investment scheme. I agree with the Deputy there is a need to take a collaborative approach to developing the heritage plan.

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