Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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1237. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the financial support available to Sligo County Council for the conservation and protection of Court Abbey, Mullinabreena, County Sligo; the estimated cost of assessing such a structure; if funds will be released to Sligo County Council for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45856/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My role, as Minister, with regard to the protection and management of our built heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, including the Planning Acts and the National Monuments Acts, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners.

I understand Court Abbey is in the ownership of the local authority, which is, therefore, responsible for its upkeep and maintenance. They would be in the best position to advise on the estimated cost of any assessment.

My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through the Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), which are administered by local authorities. This year I have allocated €1.3m and €2m respectively to these schemes. The SRF will be revamped for 2019 and I will be launching the 2019 schemes shortly. It will be a matter for Sligo County Council to determine whether they wish to apply for funding under these schemes.  

In the context of a particular building or historic structure, the best advice is generally to contact the Heritage Officer or Architectural Conservation Officer in the local authority who is well placed to advise on the various types of funding available to assist with its renovation or conservation.  Court Abbey is also recorded on the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) for County Sligo and my Department’s National Monuments Service would be happy to provide any archaeological advice or guidance that might be of assistance.