Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

276. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to put a scheme in place to meet the requirements of the Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29994/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe (the Granada Convention) entered into force in 1987 and was ratified by Ireland in 1997. The main purpose of the Convention is to reinforce and promote policies for the conservation and enhancement of Europe's heritage. The following provisions are in place which ensure that Ireland meets its obligations under the Convention: - The establishment of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) under the Architectural Heritage (National Inventory) and Historic Monuments (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1999 allows for the completion of an inventory of Ireland’s architectural heritage. As Minister, I issue recommendations for inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures of each planning authority based on the NIAH survey compiled by my Department.

- Part IV of the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of the architectural heritage and places certain responsibilities on planning authorities in this regard, including the making of additions to or deletions from a Record of Protected Structures. Owners and occupiers of structures protected under the Act are obliged to protect such structures from endangerment.

- The Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities were published in 2004 and re-issued in 2011 to further strengthen the protection of the architectural heritage. The aim of the guidelines is to assist planners and others in understanding the current guiding principles of conservation and restoration.

- My Department has also published an Advice Series of booklets relating to the care and conservation of historic structures.

- In order to support the owners and occupiers of protected structures, my Department provides financial support for the conservation and protection of such structures, administered either directly or by local authorities or heritage agencies.

My Department continues to implement supporting programmes and policies for the protection of the architectural heritage as provided for under the Granada Convention.