Page 24 - COBH EDITION 7TH DECEMBER DIGITAL VERSION

Cork to receive up to €174,000 for heritage projects

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 help-
ing 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, Josepha 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. De-
tails of the Historic Towns Initiative are available from the Heritage Council and on their
website www.heritagecouncil.ie