Written answers

Tuesday, 2 May 2017

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Heritage Projects

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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53. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider a minor grant scheme for local authorities to administer to community projects aimed at preserving old photographs and video footage in their respective localities; her views on preserving such valuable historical records before they get lost or destroyed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20392/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Local authority arts and heritage officers, archivists and librarians have great experience in working with local communities on initiatives to archive old records in their locality. In this respect, they can use funding available from within their local authority including funds that may be available from the Arts Council or Heritage Council.

In this context Pillar 2 of the Creative Ireland Programme- Enabling creativity in every community,aims to empower local authorities to lead the engagement of citizens with our arts, culture and heritage. All local authorities now have Culture Teams in place and are developing their Culture and Creativity Plans for 2017.

Many of the Culture and Creativity plans which are currently being prepared contain objectives to preserve historical records and photographs For example, Donegal County Council is mounting a free exhibition on the Vanished World of the landed gentry of Donegal using never before seen documents, photo albums and letters from the collections of the Archives Service. South Dublin County Council will be digitising the Corkagh papers which relate to the Finlay and Colley families of Corkagh Demesne in Clondalkin while Wexford County Council are digitising the archives of a prominent shipping company in New Ross.

These are just some of the projects that are being included around the county to preserve historical photographs and records.

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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54. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address the need for a full-time administrator for a project (details supplied) in Letterkenny taking into account the project is solely run by volunteers yet has potentially huge benefits for local businesses and the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20399/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My role, as Minister, with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets.

I am aware that a Conservation Plan for the project mentioned by the Deputy was launched in February and that the group are now seeking to employ a full time administrator. While my Department recognises the significance and value of this project, and congratulates the group on their work to date, I regret that there is currently no funding available from my Department to pay the salary of an administrator.

The best advice for the group may be to contact the local authority conservation officer and heritage officer, who are best placed to advise the group on the various types of funding available. I understand the project group has been successful in obtaining grant support from the Heritage Council (which my Department funds) in recent years for a community event and also for development of their Conservation Plan.

I also understand that a member of the group has contacted the LEADER Local Action Group regarding LEADER funding for the project, however, no formal application for funding has yet been lodged.

It should be noted that LEADER funding would not cover the costs incurred in providing a full time administrator for a project although other elements of the project may be eligible for funding. The approval of LEADER funding, or otherwise, for the project would be a matter for the LEADER Local Action Group.

Financial support is provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings, including the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund. These schemes are administered via the local authorities and details can be found on all local authority websites.

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