Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1090. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if any assistance or funding is available to support the repair of headstones and grave markers that were damaged during recent storms, particularly in cases where no surviving relatives remain to carry out the repairs; and if consideration will be given to establishing a scheme to support local authorities or community groups in maintaining and restoring such historic or unclaimed graves. [16817/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has responsibility for policy and legislation in relation to local authority burial grounds while the actual operation of burial grounds is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

Under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 2001, local authorities are deemed to be burial boards for their respective functional areas. Acting in their capacity as burial boards, local authorities are responsible for the management, regulation and control of burial grounds in their functional areas.

There is currently no funding directly available from my Department for the purposes of repairing, restoring, or maintaining graves and there are currently no plans to introduce new schemes in this area.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, through local authorities, supports a “Burial Grounds Maintenance Community Grant”, that provides financial support to voluntary groups who are maintaining their local graveyard or burial grounds. The grant can be used towards the cost of maintenance and upkeep of these sites. Details of the scheme can be found at the following link: www.localgov.ie/grants-and-funding/burial-grounds-maintenance-community-grant.

The Heritage Council also offer a "Community Heritage Grant Scheme" which is an annual grant scheme to support projects that improve access and inclusion to heritage. A broad range of project types are eligible for funding under the scheme including conservation works to buildings, monuments, habitats, collections, or objects. Details of the scheme can be found at the following link: www.heritagecouncil.ie/funding/community-heritage-grant-scheme-2.