Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is funding available for heritage/conservation grants of non public buildings for 2013; the allocation for each county; when decisions will be made on applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15452/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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A number of State financial supports provide for the conservation and restoration of non-public heritage structures in general. As the Deputy can appreciate, however, the scope for funding for the conservation of the built heritage is currently constrained by the significant reduction in the public finances. Shortly, I will announce details of the 2013 Structures at Risk Fund, which has been set up to assist with urgent works to safeguard structures, in private and civic ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and in certain cases, works to structures within Architectural Conservation Areas. Such structures include private houses, follies and places of worship. Typical works funded include roof repairs, structural consolidation and measures to halt water ingress. This scheme, which is administered by the local authorities on behalf of my Department, has been in operation since 2011. It has encouraged regeneration and reuse of heritage properties, and helped to secure the preservation of protected structures which may otherwise have been lost. Since 2011, over 70 structures have been funded under this scheme.

The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, administers a number of heritage grants schemes. It is a matter for the Heritage Council to allocate its funding appropriately, given competing priorities within the heritage sector. In addition, the Heritage Council, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, also administers a grants scheme to REPS 4 participants on the conservation and repair of traditional farm buildings, known as the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme. I am advised that grants are available under this scheme to carry out approved conservation works to the exterior of farm outbuildings, including roofs. I am also advised that the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government administers a grant scheme for the renewal or repair of thatched roofs of owner occupied houses.