Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the funding for architectural protection grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3847/05]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the funding for architectural protection grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3703/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 134 together.

The scheme of architectural protection grants available to owners of protected structures is administered by local authorities and resourced by my Department. Funding for the scheme was increased from €2.888 million in 2003 to €3.9 million in 2004 and the provision for 2005 is €4.031 million. The funding available under the scheme is an integral element in the protection of the architectural heritage by local authorities and is a key support in the continuing roll out of Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The scheme is a successful one and around 250 grants are paid out each year to assist in the protection of our built heritage.

This scheme is just one of a package of supports for the built heritage. Tax relief is available under section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The Heritage Council paid grants totalling €1.86 million under the "Buildings at Risk" grant scheme. My Department's conservation grants scheme is available for public buildings and the 2005 allocation is €1 million. In addition, I provided funding of €700,000 to the Heritage Council as the first tranche of multi-annual funding to support conservation works at Russborough House and Waterford Roman Catholic cathedral.

The Government is making a substantial contribution towards the protection of the built heritage through the various schemes I have outlined above and also, of course, through the ongoing maintenance of the State's own portfolio of historic properties. I am keeping the policy under review and, in this context, I will bring proposals to Government for the establishment of a trust type organisation to acquire and manage significant heritage properties.