Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a funding scheme is available for a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40424/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through a number of schemes which are generally administered by local authorities.

While some of the works mentioned by the Deputy may be eligible for heritage funding the best advice for owners, in relation to individual historic structures, is to contact the Architectural Conservation Officer in their local authority who is well placed to provide expert advice and assistance. New buildings and extensions, for example, do not qualify, nor does the installation or renewal of buildings services such as heating and electrical systems or renovation in the redecorating sense. Works to preserve the historic fabric of the building, however, would be eligible for funding. The main schemes funded by my Department in 2018 are as set out below. While the closing date for the 2018 schemes has now passed, my Department remains in contact with local authorities throughout the year to ensure the best use of all funds under the schemes, including the reallocation of funds where, for example, projects do not proceed.

The Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) supports conservation works to heritage structures in both private and public ownership, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. I have allocated €1.3m this year and 76 projects across the country have been approved for funding under the scheme.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) is a scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures, designed to leverage private capital for investment in small scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals and tradespeople. I have allocated funding of €2m nationally for this Scheme in 2018 and 355 projects have been approved for funding.

Details of all of the projects awarded funding under both of these schemes are published on my Department’s website and on local authority websites. Funding schemes for 2019 will be announced in November and, again, the local authority Architectural Conservation Officer is best placed to provide advice and assistance in the first instance.

The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports. Grant schemes are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website .

In terms of future funding, Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027 represents a major capital investment scheme of €1.2 billion in funding over the next 10 years, and will include increased investment in protecting and celebrating our built heritage across the country. More details on the commencement and completion dates for projects and programmes, as well as the timing of the expenditure in relation to them, will emerge as we go through the process of appraisal and planning as required under the Public Spending Code.