Funding will be allocated to the owners of historic and protected structures in Saggart and Newcastle to carry out essential repairs and maintenance, a Fine Gael Deputy has said. Deputy Emer Higgins said South Dublin County Council and custodians of protected sites will receive €40,000 for three small-scale and labour-intensive projects to repair and safeguard our built heritage. Deputy Higgins said, “My colleague, Minister for Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, TD, has announced that a total of 449 heritage projects across the country will benefit from a combined sum of over €4.3m under this year’s Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS).
“The funding is being released as we move to phase 2 of the Government’s roadmap to reopen our economy to ease the Covid-19 restrictions. It will help provide employment for many small businesses, conservation specialists and tradespeople involved in heritage-related construction activity in our area. “The schemes will play a vital role in helping communities to regenerate the areas where they live and work, and to protect our built heritage for future generations. “The supports, administered by local authorities, invest in hundreds of projects in urban and rural areas and provide vital support for local jobs in conservation, traditional skills and construction. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) will support three projects in Saggart and Newcastle. Grants ranging from €10,000 to €15,000 will be provided and the scheme nationwide will generate several thousand days employment for skilled craftspeople.
Lock Keeper’s Cottage, 12th Lock, Ballymakaily, Newcastle Road, Lucan; Roof repair, structures & coverings including leadwork and external joinery repair and reinstatement of timber windows where required with funding of €15,000. Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saggart; Historic window glass conservation/protection with funding of €15,000. And the Old Glebe, Newcastle; External joinery repair to include draught proofing with a grant of €10,000.
Deputy Higgins added, “As the phased reopening of our economy continues, it is hoped it will be possible that many of the projects under the two Built Heritage Capital grant schemes can proceed without further delay. “Successful applicants will be advised that all works must be carried out in compliance with physical distancing instructions and other public health measures determined by the Government and the HSE. “It will be the project manager’s responsibility to monitor and ensure compliance with the most up to date and accurate information from the Government and the HSE websites.
Announcing the funding, Minister Madigan said, “I would like to thank the local authorities for their assistance in administering these schemes. I would also like to acknowledge the response of private owners and their willingness to invest their time and money in caring for our built heritage. I am delighted to be able to continue investing in our built heritage.”
