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

Again, I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy in relation to this. There is no doubt the opportunities that lie out there are immense. A couple I know in Kilkenny was going to put a bulldozer to one these buildings until the grant scheme came into place and they are now delighted that they have renovated it. I want to see more families doing that. I want to see more people doing that, particularly in our towns and villages where there is an immense amount of 19th century stock that could be brought back into use.

There is another element to it, which is the area of traditional skills. Again, I have been working on this with the Heritage Council. There is a lack of significant skills, such as joinery, masonry and in other skills that are needed to bring these beautiful houses back into use. That is something we need to ramp up over the next number of years to ensure we have sufficient skills right across the country to meet the requirements of families who want to do up these houses.

The conservation grant is an important component of it. The technical advice document that our Department launched earlier this year is an important component for conservation professionals. Separately, I would love to see more and more families take up the opportunities that are out there, particularly in our towns and villages across the country.

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