James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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388. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the intervention he has made to save the school attended by Michael Collins at The Pike, Lisavaird, County Cork, which so moulded his early years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2448/14]

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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400. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he will take to protect the old British Legion building in Killester, Dublin 5, which is part of the involvement of Irish people in the First World War. [2736/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 400 together.

Part IV of the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of architectural heritage and gives local planning authorities primary responsibility to identify and protect architectural heritage by including structures on the Record of Protected Structures. The making of an addition to, or a deletion from, the Record of Protected Structures is a reserved function of the relevant planning authority, in these cases Cork County Council and Dublin City Council respectively.

The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) is a State initiative under the administration of my Department. Its purpose is to identify, record, and evaluate the post-1700 architectural heritage of Ireland, uniformly and consistently as an aid in the protection and conservation of the built heritage. I recommend structures rated as being of regional importance or above to the planning authorities for inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures.

Neither the school at The Pike, Lisavaird, County Cork nor the old British Legion Hall in Killester is recorded on the NIAH or on the Record of Protected Structures for Cork or Dublin respectively. Under the Planning & Development Act 2000, as amended, the local authority is the planning authority and the decision-making body in the first instance in relation to planning applications. An Bord Pleanála is the appeals authority for planning applications. My role in relation to planning applications is limited to that of statutory consultee in cases where a proposed development may have an effect on natural, archaeological or architectural heritage.

My Department has not made any interventions in relation to either building and, in this regard, I would refer the Deputies to Cork County Council and Dublin City Council respectively as the relevant planning authorities.

Brian Walsh (Galway West, Independent)
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389. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans for investment in Pearse's cottage in Rosmuc, County Galway in advance of the 1916 centenary; the way he evaluates the importance of the cottage in the context of commemorative events in the west in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2304/14]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, under the Capital Stimulus Package announced in the Budget, funding of €6m was provided for 2014 in respect of the 1916 Commemorations Programme. A number of projects come under the scope of this programme, including Kilmainham Courthouse, the GPO, the Military Archives and Pearse's Cottage in Ros Muc.

With regard to Ros Muc, a steering group comprising the various stakeholders, including Údarás na Gaeltachta, Galway County Council, OPW, Fáilte Ireland and my own Department, has been established to oversee, coordinate and ensure that the project is delivered within the timeframe envisaged. In that context, a number of issues are currently being addressed, including legal title to the site, planning requirements and overall funding for the project. I should say that all the stakeholders have indicated their full support for ensuring that the project is brought to fruition.

I consider it very fitting that this project is being advanced as part of the 1916 Commemorations Programme since the development of Pearse's Cottage will bring together the legacy of Pearse's contribution to Irish history and education and, in particular, his involvement with the Irish language and the Gaeltacht community. I am satisfied that this development will also create excellent opportunities, not only for the community of Ros Muc, but also for the wider region. It will undoubtedly benefit the area in terms of increased tourism, particularly in terms of cultural tourism and the creation of employment in the area. Indeed, I am advised that Pearse's Cottage is afforded special recognition in Fáilte Ireland's Connemara Destination Plan, Wild Atlantic Way and Connemara Driving Tour and is a key component of the strategy to develop the tourism sector in Connemara.