Written answers

Tuesday, 15 July 2014

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme Administration

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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432. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress of the built heritage scheme; if there are figures available on the percentage of the applications for which funding has been drawn down; if it is envisaged that a second such scheme will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31587/14]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Built Heritage Jobs Leverage scheme operated by my Department in 2014 is being administered by the local authorities for the repair and conservation of protected structures under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012. This fund will support a significant number of projects across the country, as well as employment in the conservation and construction industries. The closing date for receipt of claims for reimbursement under the scheme to local authorities by my Department is in November 2014. To date, no draw down claims have been received by my Department from the local authorities. Due to the nature of the projects being supported, it is anticipated that the majority of draw down requests will be in Quarters 3 and 4 2014 on substantial completion of works.

Preliminary figures from progress reports provided to my Department by the local authorities indicate that, to date, for the 240 projects currently under way, 8,253 days of employment have been supported (on average 34 days of employment per project) and private funds of over €1.5 million has been leveraged under the scheme. As the Deputy can appreciate, the continuation of this, or a similar, scheme in 2015 and beyond is a matter to be considered in the context of the budgetary and estimates processes, having regard to the many competing priorities for the conservation, preservation and presentation of the State’s heritage.

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