Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he continues to monitor endangered heritage sites, buildings or locations throughout the country; the number of such locations or sites identified in the past 12 months; the action taken to address any issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12823/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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My Department has a broad range of responsibilities in respect to the protection of our natural, architectural and archaeological heritage and, in each case, there is a different suite of legislative instruments that provide for the protection of the relevant national heritage sites.

My Department directly manages 6 national parks and 66 nature reserves. In addition, it has responsibility for the monitoring of European nature sites established under the Birds and Habitats Directives, as well as natural heritage areas, nature reserves and refuges for fauna and flora established under the Wildlife Acts. All sites designated for nature conservation have been identified as requiring protection and are monitored on an on-going basis.

Under the provisions of Part IV (Architectural Heritage) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, 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. 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, seek to safeguard their future and serve notice to require works to be carried out in relation to endangerment of protected structures. On the basis of information submitted by the planning authorities to my Department, there were 19 such notices served in 2008, 27 in 2009 and 10 in 2010. Information for 2011 is currently being sought.

The 757 national monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht are managed and maintained by the Office of Public Works on a day to day basis. Local authorities are responsible for monuments in their ownership or guardianship. The vast majority of recorded monuments (approx 120,000) are, however, privately owned and, while they are protected under the National Monuments Acts, the owners are responsible for their maintenance. Appropriate action is taken where my Department becomes aware of threats or damage to monuments, including advice to owners, prosecution under the National Monuments Acts or, occasionally, rescue excavation work.

The Deputy will appreciate that the scope to provide for the protection of the State's heritage assets is constrained by the current national economic difficulties and the significant reduction in the public finances. However, my Department will continue to provide funding for the protection, conservation and development of our built and natural heritage, in so far as resources allow, in accordance with best practice and legal requirements, both nationally and internationally, and will intervene as provided by law to protect such sites.