Dáil debates
Wednesday, 11 March 2015
Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions
Heritage Schemes
9:30 am
Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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1. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a built heritage jobs leverage scheme will operate in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10554/15]
Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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This question relates to the built heritage jobs leverage scheme. It was one of the good ideas initiated by the last Government, a Government which was perhaps not awash with good ideas. The €5 million put up by the Government secured private investment of €10 million for 540 projects across the country, employing 175 people. What are the prospects for this scheme in 2015?
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In 2014, my Department was provided with a special allocation of €5 million from capital stimulus funding for a new built heritage jobs leverage scheme to assist with works to safeguard structures, in private and civic ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
This scheme was administered directly through the local authorities and sought to encourage the investment of private capital in a number of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craft workers and tradespeople.
My Department's allocation of €5 million leveraged a further €10 million in private funding, leading to a total of €15 million being invested in 540 historic structures across the country. Information provided by the local authorities indicates that 175 jobs were created as a result of this scheme.
The operation of a similar scheme in the future would be contingent on dedicated funding being made available to my Department. It is a good idea and I very much support the work being done.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Implicit in the answer is that there will be no scheme in 2015, which is very regrettable and represents a failure on the part of the Minister's Department. I urge the Minister to go back to the Minister for Public Expenditure on Reform to secure the funding involved. As she quite rightly said, a fairly small figure of €5 million unleashed €10 million in private investment, which is badly needed and which delivered worthwhile jobs while allowing us to maintain the fabric of the built heritage of this country. It is very important the built heritage is retained.
All of us in this House see buildings of historic importance across the length and breadth of this country crumbling before our eyes. The thatched cottage is a uniquely Irish phenomenon but I see those cottages falling into decay because their owners cannot afford their upkeep.
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy said, the built heritage jobs leverage scheme was a great success, which is reflected in the statistics. The Deputy is right that Ireland's heritage and its buildings are a vital part of our villages and are towns. The Heritage Council has done great work over the years in engaging with communities. There is a much greater awareness now of the importance of heritage. Community groups across the country are getting involved and want to everything they can to protect what is very special in their areas in terms of heritage.
I am very supportive of this scheme and, as I outlined in my response, the operation of a similar scheme in the future would be contingent on dedicated funding be made available to my Department. This was a one-off stimulus scheme last year which helped to ensure the skills of stonemasons and the skills required to maintain heritage buildings are protected and passed on. I very much support scheme and, as the economy improves, I will make the case for more funding for heritage, in particular for this scheme.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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We are told the economy is improving and now is the time to secure multi-annual funding. The Minister would have the support of everyone on this side of House in going back to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to demand this money. The money about which were talking, in terms of public investment, is very small but the money it can leverage from the private sector is very significant. It has been demonstrated that jobs can be created. The importance of the built heritage is beyond question and we know that many elements of that built heritage are crumbling before our eyes, so investment is needed.
The Minister referred the Heritage Council, which I salute and which is doing a tremendous job. What is outstanding about the work it is doing is the way in which it engages communities. It is actively involved in a meaningful way in convincing communities that they need to take ownership of the valuable heritage resources they have. However, it is starved of cash and it needs investment also.
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I agree with the Deputy that the Heritage Council does a great job. Since I took office, I have met all the heritage officers throughout the country because they also do a great job with the local authorities. I must acknowledge the work local authorities have done in regard to the built heritage jobs leverage scheme. A number of different organisations came together.
The Heritage Council was awarded €4.7 million in funding in the 2015 Estimates. The built heritage jobs leverage scheme is a good scheme, which I fully support, and I will not be found wanting when it comes to looking for money for it.