Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 554: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will amend the provisions of the conservation grant scheme with a view to extending the scheme to buildings in architectural conservation areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6177/07]

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 556: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has received submissions from Dublin City Council planning department to amend the current grant scheme to include grants for the restoration of buildings in the new pilot architectural conservation areas in Dublin City; if he will expedite consideration of this request to provide an incentive to residents to support the new ACA projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6363/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 and 556 together.

My Department supports a scheme of grants for the conservation of protected buildings. This is administered by local authorities who assess and prioritise applications and approve individual grants. The scheme is aimed at assisting owners and occupiers to carry out conservation works on structures of architectural significance in the Record of Protected Structures which the local authority has listed under the Planning and Development Act 2000.

It is intended to review the scheme in 2007 and consideration will be given to the level of grant assistance available to structures in an Architectural Conservation Area.

Under the National Development Plan 2007-2013, my Department will also administer a scheme of 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.

The Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, also runs a Buildings at Risk grant scheme. Criteria for this scheme are available directly from the Council.