Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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26. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the range and nationwide impact of the built heritage investment scheme and the historic structures fund; when the next round of funding will become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59867/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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My Department provides financial support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS).

The HSF is for conservation and enhancement to heritage structures and historic buildings, in both private and public ownership, for the benefit of communities and the public. The BHIS is a scheme for the repair and conservation of structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures (RPS).

€4m was allocated to the HSF in 2022, initially funding 79 projects across the country. Match funding of between 20% and 50% of the total project cost is required for HSF projects, depending on the stream the application is made through. Match funding leveraged for HSF 2022 works currently stands at €1.4 million.

€4m was allocated to the BHIS in 2022, initially funding 516 projects across 31 local authorities. Match funding of at least 50% of the total project cost is required for BHIS projects. For 2022, match funding leveraged for BHIS works currently stands at €4.4 million.

Taken together, it is expected that the two schemes will create just under 45,000 days' employment for skilled conservation workers in 2022. It should be noted that the exact number of days' employment and final match funding figure will not be known until my Department finalises claims from the local authorities. This is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

I launched both schemes for 2023 on 16 November and the application process is now open through the local authorities. It should be noted that the deadline for applications to my Department is 31 January 2023, however the local authority deadline will be in advance of this date.

The allocation for next year's schemes is a combined total of €9m, an increase of 12.5% on 2022, and it is anticipated that this investment will generate approximately 50,000 days’ employment for skilled conservation workers in 2023.