Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the person responsible for deciding the purchasing of lands or buildings of cultural significance; the way a decision is reached as to whether a building is of historical or cultural significance; if a cost benefit analysis is taken to asses the feasibility of such purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1816/11]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The State has limited resources to acquire, maintain, conserve and present heritage properties, national monuments and land, in particular, in the current economic climate. In principle, normal planning procedures and the relevant legislation should be used to give adequate protection to the built heritage. A limited amount of funding may also be available to assist owners of heritage or protected structures from my Department, the Heritage Council or local authorities. My Department also supports the work of the Irish Heritage Trust in acquiring and securing the future of significant heritage properties.

The purchase of a heritage property or monument by the State would only apply in exceptional circumstances, having regard, for example, to the heritage significance of the potential acquisition and the risk to the loss of this significance. The cost of any acquisition, including conservation and ongoing maintenance and running costs, would need to be considered in such circumstances.

Possible acquisitions by my Department would be considered in conjunction with the Office of Public Works. Price negotiations and property valuations would be carried out by the Office of Public Works on behalf of my Department. Conveyancing is undertaken by that Office in conjunction with the Chief State Solicitor's Office.