Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 502: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a grant scheme is available under the auspices of his Department to which a parish council (details supplied) in County Waterford could apply for financial assistance towards the renovation of the parish church; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7828/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Urban and Village Renewal Operational Programme 2000-2006, my Department administers a scheme of EU co-financed grants for the restoration and conservation of buildings of significant architectural heritage merit and which are in public ownership or open to the public generally. Closing date for receipt of applications in the south and east region was 24 October 2005 and the grants for 2006, the last year of the programme, have since been allocated.

My Department funds a scheme of grants for the conservation of protected buildings, which is administered by the local authorities. It is a matter for each individual local authority to assess and prioritise applications and approve funding. The scheme is aimed at assisting owners and occupiers to carry out conservation works on privately owned structures of architectural significance which are included in the Record of Protected Structures under the Planning and Development Act 2000. Inquiries about this scheme should be made direct to the relevant local authority.

The Heritage Council operates a limited scheme of grant assistance under their buildings at risk programme and may be approached directly.