A number of local authorities are set to lose their heritage officers early in the New Year because of the Government's embargo on recruitment.
The Irish Times has learned that Limerick County Council's heritage officer, Mr Tom O'Neill, finishes work tomorrow while his counterpart in Tipperary South, Mr Brendan McSherry, is due to have his contract terminated in late January.
The officers were employed under the heritage officer scheme initiated by the statutory Heritage Council in 2001 in partnership with several local authorities.
Initially, 12 heritage officers were appointed and given the task of preparing county-wide heritage plans.
These plans mainly dealt with protecting each county's natural environment and, specifically, the habitats that are required to be safeguarded under EU directives - such as special areas of conservation, or SACs.
Heritage officers would also have a role in advising local authorities on the protection of archaeological sites, particularly if they were likely to be affected by development plans, including road proposals.
In June 2003, An Taisce described Leitrim County Council's decision to discontinue its participation in the programme as a "retrograde step" because of the "major challenges" it faced in regulating development.
Limerick City Council lost its conservation officer in 2003, while vacant posts in counties Limerick and Leitrim were not re-advertised.
Conservation officers advise local authorities on the treatment of protected buildings.
When Dublin City Council's conservation officer took a sabbatical last year, overstretched planners had nobody to advise on applications affecting any of the city's 9,000-plus protected structures for a period of six months.
A heritage officer whose job is under threat told The Irish Times that it seems the National Heritage Plan, which requires the spending of money, counts for nothing against a Government policy that prohibits the recruitment of any new permanent public servants.
"It's a real pity for this country that the inspirational heritage officer scheme seems to be in danger of dismantlement, even while other councils are still recruiting - Cork city, Louth, Monaghan and Cavan," the heritage officer added.
