Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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637. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when her Department will issue payment for a replacement crane on a boat (details supplied); the reason for the long delay in issuing this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7829/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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My Department has not approved any payment in this case. This decision was communicated to the claimant in 2009 and again in 2013, following a review of the case.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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638. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding available to restore thatched cottages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7953/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not administer a funding scheme specifically for thatched structures. However, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government administers a grant scheme for the renewal or repair of thatched roofs of owner occupied houses. I refer the Deputy to that Department for details of eligibility criteria for that scheme.

A number of State financial supports provide for the conservation and preservation of heritage structures in general. On 9 February last, I announced an allocation of €624,000 for the Structures at Risk Fund 2015,to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, which are protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, and are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This Fund, which will be administered through the local authorities, encourages the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and helps to secure the preservation of protected structures, which might otherwise be lost. The Fund is open to two applications per local authority, of which only one application may be in respect of a publicly-owned building. The amount of funding available per project will be subject to a minimum level of €15,000 and a maximum level of €60,000. Final details of projects funded will be made available once all applications are received by the local authorities and assessed by my Department. Since 2011, over 100 structures have been safeguarded for the future as a result of the Structures at Risk Fund.

The Heritage Council, which my Department also funds, is administering a community-based heritage grants scheme for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. I understand that applications are open until 20 March 2015 for the scheme. The Heritage Council’s website is .

In addition, as part of an Architectural Advice Series, my Department plans to publish an advice book on thatching this year, which will include practical advice and guidance on aspects of conserving and restoring thatched structures.