John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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152. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if concerns have been brought to his attention about ongoing serious damage being done to Oldcourt Castle in Bray, County Wicklow due to vandalism; the action he intends to take to protect the castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22371/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Oldcourt Castle is a national monument in private ownership on private lands. The National Monuments Service of my Department received reports of vandalism at the site in 2020 and again in 2021.  My Department carried out inspections at the site and advised the owners appropriately. My Department has not received any reports of vandalism at the site this year.   

The owners should be aware of the Community Monuments Fund, a funding stream for the care, conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological monuments. The Community Monuments Fund invests in archaeological heritage and helps owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public. The fund is administered by the National Monuments Service of my Department through the Local Authorities. While the call for applications for 2022 is now closed, I hope to announce funding for a scheme for 2023 later this year.