Written answers

Tuesday, 18 October 2011

Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs

Heritage Sites

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 289: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which heritage buildings and sites throughout the country have been identified and protected and are accessible for tourism and educational purposes; if there are specific restrictions in respect of any particular sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30135/11]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 290: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent, if any, to which he has in mind a programme to promote this country's heritage sites and buildings internationally with a view to achieving economic benefit therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30136/11]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 296: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has identified or located endangered heritage sites throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30143/11]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 289, 290 and 296 together.

Under the provisions of Part IV (Architectural Heritage) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, each planning authority is required to include in its development plan a Record of Protected Structures. The making of an addition to, or deletion from, a Record of Protected Structures is a reserved function of the planning authorities. Section 53 of this Act also enables me, as Minister, to make recommendations to a planning authority concerning the inclusion of specific structures in the Record of Protected Structures and a planning authority must have regard to any such recommendations.

On the basis of information submitted by the planning authorities to my Department, there were 38,475 properties on the Record of Protected Structures of 88 planning authorities in 2010. Under the provisions of these Acts, inclusion in the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.

There are 2,908 monuments recorded in the Register of Historic Monuments and there are approximately 120,000 further monuments recorded in the Record of Monuments and Places and these are protected under the National Monuments Acts. Both the Record and the Register are maintained by my Department. 757 national monument sites are in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The number of individual monuments on these sites would be greater, since some contain more than one monument. The day-to-day operation of national monuments in State care is a matter for the Office of Public Works but, in general, monument sites owned by the Minister are publicly accessible, with 69 having visitor services provided by the Office of Public Works.

Sites designated by my Department for their natural heritage interest include 423 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), 150 Special Protection Areas (SPAs), 155 Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), 7 Refuges for Fauna, 78 Nature Reserves and 6 National Parks. Detailed information on these sites, including information on the nature conservation associated with each, is available on a county basis on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website at www.npws.ie.

Access to and use of protected structures and heritage sites are related in many cases to the nature of ownership and the decisions of the owners and occupiers as regards use.

In terms of heritage sites which may be endangered, it should be noted that the various designations set out above have been put in place to assist in the protection of these sites from potential threats, the extent of which may vary widely depending on a wide range of factors.

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and the relevant agencies under its remit, have responsibility for the promotion of Ireland generally as an attractive visitor location. Heritage sites, including national parks and national monuments, feature strongly in much of this promotion. In addition, my Department through, for example, the provision of important heritage inventories, the funding for the conservation and presentation of the built heritage, and through support for the Heritage Council, assists in promoting greater appreciation and understanding of Ireland's heritage as a valuable amenity for residents and visitors alike.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.