Dáil Éireann - Volume 457 - 26 October, 1995

Written Answers. - Buildings Preservation.

Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey

22. Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he intends to draw up proposals to ensure the preservation of traditional thatched houses based on the national inventory commenced by the Office of Public Works in 1980. [14727/95]

Mr. Davern Mr. Davern

25. Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the proposals, if any, he intends to draw up to ensure the preservation of traditional thatched houses based on the national inventory commenced by the Office of Public Works in 1980. [15810/95]

Mr. H. Byrne Mr. H. Byrne

28. Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the proposals, if any, he intends to draw up to ensure the preservation of traditional thatched houses based on the national inventory commenced by the Office of Public Works in 1980. [15806/95]

Mr. E. Byrne Mr. E. Byrne

31. Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the progress, if any, made to date by the working group which is currently examining issues surrounding the preservation of listed buildings, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 31 of 2 March 1995; the proposals, if any, he has to place the system of listed buildings on a statutory basis; the proposals, if any, he has to provide further incentives for the maintenance and preservation of such buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15766/95]

Mr. Foley Mr. Foley

37. Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the proposals, if any, he intends to draw up to ensure the preservation of traditional thatched houses based on the national inventory commenced by the Office of Public Works in 1980. [15807/95]

Mr. M. Brennan Mr. M. Brennan

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[1677] 47. Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the proposals, if any, he intends to draw up to ensure the preservation of traditional thatched houses based on the national inventory commenced by the Office of Public Works in 1980. [15805/95]

Mr. Connolly Mr. Connolly

49. Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the proposals, if any, he intends to draw up to ensure the preservation of traditional thatched houses based on the national inventory commenced by the Office of Public Works in 1980. [15809/95]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins) Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins): Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 22, 25, 28, 31, 37, 47 agus 49 le chéile.

As the Deputies will be aware, last February, pursuant to commitments in the policy agreement for Government entitled “A Government of Renewal”, I and my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Brendan Howlin, established an inter-departmental working group made up of officials of my Department, the Department of the Environment and the Office of Public Works to examine and report back with recommendatons on improving the protection for listed buildings, including placing the system of listed buildings on a statutory basis, introducing incentives for the proper upkeep and maintenance of such buildings and undertaking a full national architectural audit. Traditional thatched houses which are part of the vernacular architectural heritage come within the terms of reference of the working group.

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To date, the working group has met on eight occasions. It is engaging in broad consultations with local authorities and with other interested bodies and persons in relation to the issues raised by its terms of reference. Last August representatives of the working group visited Scotland to familiarise themselves with the Scottish listed buildings system and the incentives for the upkeep and maintenance of such [1678] buildings. I am informed that the working group is making good progress and expects to be able to submit its report by early next year.

I can assure the Deputies that, in consultation with the Minister for the Environment, I will give careful consideration to that report and to the introduction of any necessary new policy initiatives in this area.

Dáil Éireann 457 Written Answers. Buildings Preservation.

Questions

19951026