Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1348. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the sun shelter on the east pier of Dún Laoghaire harbour; his views on the merits of fully repairing and maintaining the structure on the basis of its heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21073/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1349. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the sun shelter on the band stand in Dún Laoghaire; his views on the merits of fully repairing and maintaining the structure on the basis of its heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21074/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1350. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the east pier and the Carlisle pier of Dún Laoghaire harbour; his views on the merits of maintaining these locations on the basis of their heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21075/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1356. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the Victorian balustrades on the Carlisle pier in Dún Laoghaire; his views on the merits of fully repairing and maintaining the structure on the basis of its heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21165/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1348, 1349, 1350 and 1356 together.

Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 sets out arrangements for the protection of our architectural heritage. The planning authority is responsible for adding buildings and features to the Record of Protected Structures; primary responsibility for preventing endangerment of protected structures then rests with the owner overseen by the planning authority.

My Department funds a range of grant schemes to support 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, while the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) provides grants of between €50,000 and €200,000 for similar works at a larger scale.

Both schemes are administered in the main by the local authorities with funding from the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) under my Department. These schemes are now closed for 2025. The application window for the 2026 BHIS is expected to open in July 2025, with the HSF to follow.

Investment in our built heritage delivers broad public benefits by enhancing the character and amenity of our villages, towns, cities, and landscapes, reducing the need for new construction, and sustaining centuries-old craft skills which would otherwise be lost. All funding applications for appropriate conservation and protection of our historic buildings and public realm are welcomed by my Department.