Written answers

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Departmental Budgets

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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230. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the difference in purpose between the funding provided under the revised estimates sub-headings for built heritage, the built heritage investment scheme and an organisation (details supplied) under Vote 34. [34591/21]

Photo of Malcolm NoonanMalcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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In relation to the 3 specific subheads mentioned and the difference in the purpose of each, I can advise the following:

1.The Built Heritage sub-head, F4, makes provision for the Built Heritage Capital and Current Programmes, including the Archaeological Survey of Ireland, the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage and two capital grant schemes - the Community Monuments Fund (CMF) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF).

This subhead includes provision for the Office of Public Works programme for conservation and visitor services at Historic Properties and National Monuments. It also provides continuing financial support for Heritage organisations including the Irish Architecture Foundation and the Irish Architectural Archive.

2. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) sub-head, F7, makes provision for the BHIS capital grant scheme which provides grant aid to assist owners of heritage structures to meet their obligations to care for their properties. The scheme is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small-scale conservation projects and to support the employment of skilled conservation specialists. Earlier this year, I was delighted to announce €3m investment through this scheme to assist 477 owners and custodians of historic and protected structures right across the country as they carry out small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and safeguard our built heritage.

3. Finally, in relation to funding to a specific organisation, subhead F6 provides for the Irish Heritage Trust (IHT). The Irish Heritage Trust was established to acquire, for public access, major heritage properties where there is an imminent risk to their heritage value. It is responsible for bringing these specific heritage properties to life and ensuring financial sustainability at each property in its care. Funding allocated to the IHT under this subhead enables it to fund its ongoing operations and to undertake urgent and important capital works that assist in conserving and sustainably developing the properties in its care, and matters germane thereto.

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