Almost €20 million has been allocated by Minister for the Environment Dick Roche for the conservation and protection of Ireland's architectural heritage this year.
Although relatively small compared to the scale of need, the money being provided will help to save a number of historic buildings through a conservation grants scheme administered by local authorities, which will receive almost €6 million.
"I am particularly pleased to be able to approve this level of funding, which is double that of three years ago," the Minister said, adding that local authorities were best-placed to recognise lesser buildings of significant heritage value.
Such structures include thatched houses, shop and pub fronts, churches, rectories, gate lodges and community halls. To ensure that work is carried out to high standards, funding to employ conservation officers is being doubled to €1.13 million.
"I am providing an average grant of €33,000 towards the eligible cost of employing a conservation officer in each local authority and I invite those local authorities who do not have a conservation officer at present to avail of this generous offer," Mr Roche said.
"I strongly believe that conservation officers play a pivotal role in ensuring the conservation and protection of our built heritage and also facilitate innovative pre-planning solutions to developments which involve structures on the record of protected structures".
The largest single allocation for conservation grants - €1.07 million - goes to Dublin City Council, followed by Cork County Council (€466,000), Kildare County Council (€318,000), Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown (€307,000), and Fingal County Council (€239,000).
The Minister also announced a new walled towns fund - €2 million in 2007 - which is to be administered by the Heritage Council. This would enable conservation works to be carried out in Ireland's walled towns, such as Athenry, Co Galway, and Fethard, Co Tipperary.
"An increasing value is being put on the heritage of medieval walled towns across Europe," he said. "Walled towns are also a very significant tourist attraction and contribute considerably to the towns that are fortunate enough to have such iconic features".
The funding package for this year also provides for projects at a number of the State's premier heritage sites including the Phoenix Park, the Pearse Museum at St Enda's and Rathfarnham Castle in Co Dublin, and the Heywood Gardens, in Ballinakill, Co Laois.
Two of the largest single allocations - of €750,000 each - are going towards providing a visitor centre at 13th century Nenagh Castle, in north Tipperary, and a new visitor facility at Durrow Abbey, Co Offaly, which was founded in the 6th century by St Columba.
The 2007 programme also provides continued support for projects at a number of significant heritage properties held in trust or private ownership, including Westport House, in Co Mayo; Headfort House, Co Meath, and Russborough House, Co Wicklow.
Smaller allocations will go towards heritage projects jointly sponsored by local authorities in Nobber, Co Meath; Granard, Co Longford, and St Selskar's Abbey in Wexford town. Other beneficiaries include St Mary's Cathedral in Limerick and St Carthage's in Lismore, Co Waterford.
"I believe that built heritage conservation represents an excellent investment by the State," the Minister said. "Regeneration of our historic buildings often acts as a catalyst for further heritage projects in an area and makes our towns and villages more attractive."
He also commended the statutory Heritage Council for its "ongoing commitment to the protection and conservation of selected key heritage properties throughout the country, thereby ensuring their preservation for future generations to enjoy".
