Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has prioritised heritage renewal, upgrading restoration projects throughout the country with a view to identifying the most important or sensitive areas whereby positive intervention could have a beneficial effect beyond the actual cost in terms of benefits to the national heritage, economically and culturally; if particular locations have been identified in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5191/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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In 2011, my Department provided €650,000 through a "Structures at Risk Fund" to assist with works to safeguard structures, both in private and civic ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010. This fund was administered by local authorities. This funding was focused primarily on those protected structures most at risk.

€105,000 in funding was also provided through the National Monuments Service of my Department for rescue excavations at archaeological sites under immediate threat of damage and destruction.

In addition, my Department provided capital assistance of €1.25 million to the Office of Public Works to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic properties and national monuments in State care. This included work on such iconic projects as the National Botanic Gardens and Cormac's Chapel on the Rock of Cashel, both major tourist attractions.

My Department also funds infrastructural developments in Ireland's National Parks and Reserves. These are key assets in Ireland's tourism infrastructure. In this regard, my Department has received a grant of €5.2 million from Fáilte Ireland to restore Killarney House in Kerry as a visitor centre and gateway to Ireland's most popular national park. Work commenced on the House in 2011.

My Department also provided funding of almost €7.5 million to support the work of the Heritage Council, which in turn provides support for built and natural heritage projects.

The Deputy will appreciate that, due to the economic situation and the significant reductions in the capital allocations provided to my Department, the resources available to me for the provision of grants for the protection of the built heritage are limited. This will have a further impact on the provision of funding in 2012.