Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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689. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to prospective restructuring proposals in relation to an entity under her remit (details supplied). [3372/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My role as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in relation to the protection and management of our architectural 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.

The Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, is independent in the performance of its functions. The allocation of its resources across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually is a matter for the Heritage Council, having regard to the principles of proper public financial management and competing priorities for limited resources.

I understand that the Heritage Council is still considering what suite of further supports it can continue to offer the network in question in the context of this year's allocation. In the current year, €1 million has been earmarked specifically for the Historic Towns Initiative, which will complement any capital component of supports for the network referred to.