Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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373. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding is available for the preservation of a building (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5585/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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My role, as Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht with regard to the protection and management of our built and natural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets. Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 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 this case Dublin City Council.

The building referred to by the Deputy, which is now privately owned, is not recorded on the Record of Protected Structures for Dublin and therefore is not eligible for funding under my Department’s funding schemes for the conservation of our built heritage, which are currently focussed on structures which are protected under the Act. Currently, significant taxpayer investment has been set aside for a number of capital projects which are of significance in the context to which the Deputy refers. However, given the many competing priorities for funding relating to these matters, it will not be possible to financially support every such proposal.

I understand that An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission in 2011, which is still valid, for a change of use which provides for the retention of the building in question and the erection of a plaque. However, I would refer the Deputy to the website of An Bord Pleanála for exact details of the permission granted.