Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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545. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on an application by Cork City Council for the restoration of the Shandon clock. [7898/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that St Anne’s Church, its clock tower, and the Shandon Bells are of huge archaeological, architectural, historical, and social importance to Cork City. The church itself is a protected structure and a national monument, and is included on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, where it is listed as being of national importance.

Responsibility for maintaining the clock tower and ensuring its safety rests with the Representative Church Body and Cork City Council, the former as the owner of St Anne’s Church, and the latter as the owner of the clock itself and the planning authority with responsibility for protected structures in the area. These responsibilities are set out in Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

On 6 February, Cork City Council submitted an application to my Department for funding for the clock tower under the current Historic Structures Fund round.

All applications for the Historic Structures fund are currently being assessed by an expert panel, and a final announcement on this year's successful projects is expected next month.