Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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244. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way in which a town can gain designation as a heritage town or gain heritage status; the process by which a town can apply to be a part of the historic towns initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17149/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) is a joint undertaking between my Department and the Heritage Council which aims to promote the heritage-led regeneration of Ireland’s historic towns. This initiative includes works to significant historic buildings, streetscape conservation and the public realm and demonstrates the effective way that heritage can be used to regenerate urban centres.

The internationally recognised practice of heritage-led regeneration shows that heritage can be used to create a desirable place where people can live, visit and do business. It brings economic benefits to enable our historic towns to prosper through increased visitor numbers and decreased numbers of vacant buildings and commercial premises. The towns are selected following a competitive process inviting each local authority to apply in respect of one historic town with an indicative minimum population of 1,500 inhabitants. Priority is given to projects that are ‘plan-led’ and likely to make a meaningful contribution to the heritage-led regeneration of the town. Full details on how to apply for the HTI are available on the Heritage Council’s website.

The Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, along with the Heritage Council, recently announced funding of €1 million, to be shared by six towns under the 2020 programme. These towns are

- Tralee, Co Kerry

- Ramelton, Co Donegal

- Ballina, Co Mayo

- Roscommon, Co Roscommon.

- Sligo, Co Sligo

- Clones, Co Monaghan.

While almost all Irish towns are historic in origin, including those of medieval and pre-medieval foundation, plantation towns, planned estate towns and those established around local industries there is no formal process in my Department by which towns can apply for designation as a ‘heritage town’. understand that in 1991, Bord Fáilte proposed a Heritage Town Programme to transform some of Ireland’s historic towns into tourist attractions in their own right and a total of 34 towns were originally designated as heritage towns under that programme. I also understand that a small number of the towns continue to market themselves under the brand of ‘heritage town’ although Fáilte Ireland is no longer involved in such designation either.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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245. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding streams available for projects such as 15 Henrietta Street to develop their existing premises to their original state. [16489/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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My role 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.

My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF). This year 450 heritage projects across every county in the country will benefit from a combined sum of over €4.3m under these schemes.

This funding will support the owners and custodians of historic and protected structures as they carry out hundreds of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and safeguard our built heritage as well as providing vital support for local jobs in conservation, traditional skills and construction. Details of all projects approved for 2020 are published on my Department’s website as well as on each local authority website. However, given the scale of investment needed for larger projects, such as the one mentioned, it is likely that the levels of grant funding available under these schemes would not be sufficient.

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. The Deputy may be aware that Dublin City Council, in fact, purchased, rescued, stabilised and conserved No. 14 Henrietta Street, preserving it for generations to come. In September 2018, it opened to the public as a museum of tenement life allowing visitors to experience over 300 years of city life, from its grand Georgian beginnings to the tenement dwellings of its later years. It is, of course, situated next door to 15 Henrietta Street.