Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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49. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the main recommendations in the recently launched historic houses action plan report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43479/15]

Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this matter. My question is on the recommendations in the recently launched historic houses action plan report.

Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I compliment the Minister on her clear commitment to protecting our historic houses for future generations. Could she broadly outline the proposals in this regard and the effect she expects them to have on historic houses?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I am aware of the growing risk to the sustainable future of the remaining stock of Irish historic houses in private ownership, where owners have consistently struggled, throughout the past century, to find sustainable alternative means of meeting the ongoing costs of their maintenance. I have also recognised that these houses are often a significantly important resource for local communities and a vital attraction for tourists. They can and do contribute significantly to the local economy.

It is within this context that I had the action plan for Irish historic houses in private ownership developed, and I secured Government approval for it. I was very pleased, therefore, to launch the action plan on 30 November last. The objective of the action plan is to assist historic houses in general with their ongoing protection, management and promotion. Specific actions include working with the local authority to develop a more streamlined partnership approach with the local economy, seeking to optimise the provision of existing supports and fiscal incentives, and seeking to develop new initiatives that might help to establish priorities by way of targeted support mechanisms.

Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister. Certainly, the report is most welcome. There are a number of wonderful historic houses in my constituency — I am obviously being parochial — that have been recognised as tourism landmarks, including Belvedere House and Ballinlough Castle. If one visits one of these wonderful buildings, one certainly gets a strong sense of place. It helps us to appreciate our cultural identity. Many of the owners of such historic houses, including in my constituency, have done trojan work to protect them by applying considerable business acumen. Many of the houses are not just open to the public, but are also strong focal points for cultural events. I very much enjoy going to these houses to see how the other half used to live. Cultural events promote the houses and generate important income to protect and preserve them. The maintenance of the houses comprises a very significant ongoing financial challenge for the owners. Many of them have to develop business models so their houses will continue to be viable in the future.

While I understand the historic house report rules out the State fully funding or purchasing properties, I welcome the possibility of historic houses benefiting from a tax relief. Could the Minister elaborate on that?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A number of actions contained in the initiative will be interdependent. This has been recognised by the committee formed to develop the action plan for historic houses. I thank it for the work it did in developing the report. It has been recognised that a number of specific actions will be prioritised. These are the review, in collaboration with the Department of Finance, of the provisions of section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997; the development of an historic house living museum programme for private houses open to the public; the development of a specific visitor promotional programme focused primarily on the Irish historic house in private ownership; and the establishment, in collaboration with local authorities and others, as applicable, of a sector-specific building conversation advisory service for owners of historic houses and related structures.

Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I understand I am under time pressure so I will not go into a lot of detail. I am glad to learn the recommendations will not just emphasise the marketing of the houses, but also the protection of the infrastructure. In the context of protecting infrastructure, I welcomed the proposal to establish the building conservation advisory service for the owners, which will provide important advice on the maintenance and upkeep of houses.

I commend the Minister and all the stakeholders on their work in the preparation of this report and I look forward to the implementation of its recommendations. Is there a timeline for the implementation of the report?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. The report has been published and we will continue to work with all the stakeholders. It is a matter of working together. The local communities, local heritage groups and various others involved need to work together to protect what are tremendous assets in our communities. The houses are such an attraction in terms of heritage. The owners have a special story to tell, and that the owners are in the houses adds to the vibrancy of the houses. I have already mentioned the concept of the living museum.