Cork city and county is set to receive up to €175,000 in funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cork South Central TD, Simon Coveney said,
“New funding of up to €79,000 has been granted to Cork County Council for heritage projects here under the launched the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund for 2019. This is up 58% on the previous years funding to Cork County Council. Cork City Council saw an increase of 12% and was granted up to €95,000 in funding for heritage projects.
“This funding for heritage projects in Cork is part of an announcement by my colleague, Minister Josepha Madigan of €4.3 million for more than 500 heritage projects across the country.
“Both schemes are open for applications until 31 January 2019 and I strongly encourage all relevant authorities to apply.
“This funding will allow for the conservation and repair of protected structures across Cork. These buildings and structures are so important to our heritage and identity as a county, and maintaining and repairing them is a crucial part of the regeneration of our communities.
“The funding is also very important in terms of developing our tourism offering and helping to attract visitors to Cork with all the benefits that can bring.
“The Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund will support the owners and custodians of protected structures in every local authority area across the country in 2019 as they carry out hundreds of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve our historic built environment. The projects will also provide vital support for local jobs in conservation, traditional skills and construction,” said Minister Coveney.
Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Joseph Madigan said: “Communities rightly have a great sense of pride in their built heritage. As well as supporting people who are working to care for and restore our historic buildings, these grants will help to regenerate towns and rural areas and will come as a welcome boost to those working so hard to look after our heritage properties.
“Our built heritage is a vital part of our cultural landscape. I am delighted to be able to continue improving our investment in protecting it for the future.
“My officials will be contacting all Local Authorities in the coming days advising them of their allocation for 2018 and the grant schemes will be advertised on all local authority websites and on my Department’s website.”
The Minister also confirmed today that €1 million will be provided for the 2019 Historic Towns Initiative, which will be administered in partnership with the Heritage Council. Details of the Historic Towns Initiative are available from the Heritage Council and on their website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
ENDS
Note: The Minister increased the funding to every local authority area for 2019. The greatest percentage increases were in the ten local authorities (outside of the cities, who already receive larger amounts of funding under the scheme) with the highest numbers of protected structures. These are (in alphabetical order):
Cork County
Cork County Council has been allocated up to €79,000 under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) for 2019. This is up 58% compared to 2018. Funding for projects in Cork County under the Historic Structures Fund 2019 will be additional to this and will be announced after the HSF assessments have taken place.
Cork City
Cork City Council has been allocated up to €95,000 under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) for 2019. This is up 12% compared to 2018. Funding for projects in Cork city under the Historic Structures Fund 2019 will be additional to this and will be announced after the HSF assessments have taken place.