Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 385: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a grant scheme is available for the renovation of historic old churches either directly through his Department or agencies or through the local authorities; when applications for such funding can be made; the maximum amount payable under these schemes; if funding will be paid to a project (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18656/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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My Department has provided funding under the local authority conservation grants scheme to provide assistance for the conservation of buildings protected under the provisions of Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. This scheme has been administered by the local authorities. My Department has also administered a Civic Structures Conservation Grants Scheme to assist with the conservation of structures in civic or public ownership and, generally, open to the public. Due to the significant reduction for 2011 in the budgetary allocation to the built heritage within the Vote of my Department, the operation of both grant schemes has been suspended.

Limited funding of €650,000 is being provided through a "Structures at Risk Fund" in 2011 to assist with works to safeguard structures protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010. Details of the operation of the fund issued to each local authority and the closing date for the receipt of applications under this scheme has passed. 23 local authorities have accepted grant offers for a total of 31 projects under the fund. The average grant offered was €21,386. No application was received in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy for funding under the Structures at Risk Fund.

My Department also provides funding to support the work of the Heritage Council, including for a number of conservation grants schemes, such as the Significant Places of Public Worship Grants Scheme, the Heritage Management Grants Scheme and Conservation Plan Led Projects Grants Scheme. No maximum grant level is set by the Council under these schemes. The closing dates for the receipt of applications for funding under these schemes in 2011 have now passed. My understanding is that no application was received in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy for funding under any of these schemes in 2011.

I also understand that a call for applications for funding in 2012 under some of these schemes may be made later this year.