€5 million fund for Heritage Projects announced.

Senator Mary Moran has today welcomed the announcement by Jimmy Deenihan TD. Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, that 618 projects across Ireland in protected buildings and historic structures are to receive funding from a €5million scheme.

“Buildings and structures of historical significance can be beautiful to look at but also very expensive to maintain and conserve. I am delighted that this initiative covers a wide range of projects from thatched cottages to cathedrals, private and commercial buildings. The Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme 2014 requires that successful applicants for funding must at least match the funding that they draw down from the scheme and the Department indicates that the€5million in taxpayer funding will unlock €16million in private funding for these projects.  This will give a very welcome boost to the construction industry as well as ensuring that buildings which are an integral part of our heritage get the attention they need.  In County Louth alone 21 projects have been allocated funding under this scheme to the value of €162,000.”