Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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75. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to a proposal by the Heritage Council to reduce funding under the category of the Irish Walled Towns Network; if funding levels will be maintained and or extended; and if this funding will be accessible to all towns that are recognised by the Irish Walled Towns Network (details supplied). [2936/18]

Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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I congratulate the Minister on her appointment on her first time taking questions.

Is the Minister aware of any proposal by the Heritage Council to reduce funding under the category of the Irish Walled Towns Network? Will she confirm that current funding levels will be maintained and extended and will she further confirm that this funding will be accessible to all towns that are recognised by the Irish Walled Towns Network, for example, Buttevant in north Cork?

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy O'Keeffe for raising this issue. My role as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in respect of the protection and management of our architectural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets.

The Irish Walled Towns Network was established by the Heritage Council in 2005. The network supports Irish walled towns through strategic input and funding of conservation, training and promotional programmes. It focuses on uniting and co-ordinating the strategic efforts of local authorities and communities involved in the management, conservation and enhancement of historic walled towns in Ireland, both North and South.

There are currently 29 member towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Deputy mentioned Buttevant Heritage Group in County Cork, which is a member of the network. I know the group held a conference in October 2017 to mark 700 years as a walled town.

The Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, is independent in the performance of its functions. The allocation of its resources across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually is a matter for the Heritage Council, having regard to the principles of proper public financial management and competing priorities for limited resources. The Heritage Council is considering a suite of further supports and will continue to offer the network support in the context of this year's allocation. A final decision on funding has not been made but I am confident about it.

The Deputy is probably aware that last week, it was announced that there would be a ring-fenced allocation of €1 million in funding specifically for a historic towns initiative. It is open for applications and will complement any capital component of the Heritage Council's walled towns initiative.  

Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for her response. The first thing she should do when she leaves the Chamber is tell the Heritage Council to update its web page. According to its list, there are only 28 member towns in the Irish Walled Towns Network.

To support the case of Buttevant, the heritage group is in its infancy. It was only formed in 2007, and the walled towns division was established in 2010. The group has been doing tremendous work, and it is ongoing. The concern is that the ongoing funding could be cut off. The heritage group is in its infancy and grew from grassroots activism. I will give a good example of why it is important that support for the group is maintained as a priority. During recent paving works on Buttevant's main street, there was a phenomenal number of archaeological finds.

Only that it was on the N20, one of the most important roads in the country, between Cork and Limerick, I would say the street would be still shut down because of the emergency. I thank the Minister for her response. I only hope that funding will be maintained on a continual basis.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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In 2017, the Heritage Council gave €140,200 in current funding and €282,000 in capital funding to the walled town network. I see no reason that should not continue. However, it is not a matter for me. It is a matter for the Heritage Council. This funding was in addition to supports, including training, for community groups. Obviously, my Department is having ongoing discussions, as part of the oversight and liaison meetings, with the Heritage Council and I am confident that the Deputy will secure this important funding into the future.

There are two other schemes as well. There is the interpretation and events scheme which supports festivals and events of high educational value and the conservation fund which supports conservation and new plans in relation to walled towns. The Deputy will probably be aware of those, as well as the historic towns initiative which we announced last week. All of these will help Buttevant and the other 29 member towns and villages throughout Ireland. It is an important issue that Deputy O'Keeffe raised here today and I thank him.