Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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151. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the grant aid is available to support works on the birthplace of Daniel O'Connell in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17815/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds a range of grant schemes for the repair and conservation of protected structures and certain other historic buildings.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) provides grants of between €2,500 and €50,000 for a wide range of conservation works; the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) provides grants of between €50,000 and €200,000 for similar works at a larger scale. The total funding provided under both schemes for 2025 was €11 million.

Both schemes are administered in the main by the local authorities with funding from the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS). It is advised to contact the Architectural Conservation Officer within Kerry County Council for further details.

The Historic Towns Initiative (HTI), which is administered by the Heritage Council with support from the NBHS, can also provide grant funding for conservation of protected structures where they are located within historic towns. Further information in relation to this scheme is available directly from the Heritage Council, and arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Heritage Council is oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie. who will be happy to advise.