Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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1109. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware that the original protected station building at MacDonagh Junction in Kilkenny has been served with a derelict site notice by Kilkenny County Council; if his Department will engage with CIE/ Iarnród Éireann and the local authority to secure the preservation and restoration of this heritage structure; if financial assistance under any relevant programme will be made available to support the necessary works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59420/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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My role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners.

Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage of their area by including structures of special interest on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS), and by designating areas of special interest as architectural conservation areas (ACAs). Responsibility for this structure therefore falls to Kilkenny County Council.

Under my Department, the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) provides two main grant schemes to support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) are, in the main, administered by the local authorities.

The BHIS provides capital funding of between €2,500 and €50,000 for repair or conservation works to the following types of buildings:

1. Protected structures
2. Proposed protected structures
3. Structures in Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs)
4. Vernacular buildings

1. Protected Structures: Structures in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) of each Local Authority;
2. Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved for inclusion.
3. Structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply.

1. projects proposed by local authorities on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of historic structures
2. projects proposed by a Local Authority for works to historic structures in public ownership, where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated