Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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My Department, through the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS), has responsibility for supporting and promoting our built heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. However, my Department does not acquire individual protected structures for conservation purposes, both because of the limited resources available and because, in line with the Planning and Development Acts (2000), primary responsibility for safeguarding protected structures rests with owners and with the relevant planning authorities.

A wide range of funding supports have been put in place across my Department, the Heritage Council, and the Department of Rural and Community Development which can assist owners and local authorities in discharging their responsibilities in this regard. These include the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, the Historic Structures Fund, and the Historic Towns Initiative, which all focus primarily on conservation of historic buildings. Other schemes with wider regeneration objectives such as the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE), the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund also provide very substantial support for conservation and re-use of historic buildings such as those mentioned.