Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will consider providing funding towards the restoration of St. Mels Cathedral, County Longford, to assist the once off substantial conservation repairs due to a fire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36547/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that officials from my Department actively engaged both with Longford County Council and the St Mel's Cathedral authorities in the aftermath of the fire in December 2009 to offer advice on the conservation of this nationally important protected structure.

As part of my Department's capital programme, €500,000 has been allocated in 2012 specifically for protected structures at risk. Applications for this funding are made by local authorities to my Department. However, the deadline for applications in 2012 has now passed and no application was received by my Department in respect of the Cathedral for funding under the Structures at Risk Fund .

I note that St. Mel's Cathedral was awarded funding of €100,000 in 2011 by the Heritage Council for a project addressing conservation works to the main entrance door lintel and statues over the portico of the Cathedral under the Council's Significant Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

The scope to provide additional funding for the protection, conservation and development of the State's built heritage is constrained by the current significant reduction in the public finances. However, my Department will continue to provide funding for the protection, conservation and development of our built heritage, in so far as resources allow.