Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on funding of the Maritime Museum, Haigh Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, and the current condition of the Mariner's Church (details supplied). [29612/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government does not provide direct funding for museums. The Maritime Museum is housed in the Mariners' Church towards which the Department made a grant of €20,000 in 2002 from the conservation grants scheme under the urban and village renewal operational programme.

A further application for funding under the scheme was made in 2004. However, on that occasion the project was unsuccessful in obtaining funding as there was no evidence of matching funding. The assessment panel considered the magnitude of the estimated overall cost of the project made it inappropriate for grant assistance from this source. It is open to the applicants to apply for funding under the 2006 scheme, and an application form has been sent to the project promoter. The deadline for receipt of applications under the 2006 scheme is 23 October 2005.

Grants for heritage buildings are also available from either local authorities or the Heritage Council. Both Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the Heritage Council have paid grants for certain works at the Mariner's Church and the Heritage Council has made an offer of grant aid towards roof repairs in 2006. Details may be obtained from the councils themselves.