Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy says, conservation and protection of our monuments is important, as is the enjoyment of those monuments in so far as we can enjoy them without jeopardising their structure. There is a fine balance there. In respect of supports, my Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through the build heritage investment scheme and the historic structures fund, which are administered ultimately by local authorities. I announced funding of €4.3 million to 478 projects under these schemes. There is also the Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department and which runs a highly successful heritage in schools programme. That programme is about enjoyment for present as well as future generations. It aims to encourage greater awareness among primary schoolchildren of Ireland's rich heritage through engaging and stimulating visits to schools by heritage in schools experts. There was also an increase in visitor numbers to a castle in the Deputy's constituency last year.

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