Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 July 2025
248. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding any initiatives proposed by his Department that seeks to protect the architectural heritage of Georgian Dublin, and the so-called Georgian core; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36732/25]
View answer250. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the conservation measures included in the recently published interdepartmental report on the recommendations of the Dublin City Taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36734/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 250 together.
As set out in Part IV of the Planning and Development Act (2000), the planning authority - in this case Dublin City Council - has primary responsibility for the protection of architectural heritage within its functional area.
The mechanisms through which it can exercise this function include designating architectural conservation areas and protected structures, adding relevant objectives to development plans, and protecting character through the development control and enforcement processes. Planning authorities are supported in the exercise of these functions by my Department's National Built Heritage Service.
My Department is aware of the significance of the ‘North Georgian Core’ and the potential that the area possesses. With this in mind, and coupled with the commitments for the area that are outlined in the Programme for Government, my Department is supporting Dublin City Council with numerous initiatives to protect the architectural heritage of the area.
My Department has recently completed a survey of the condition of historic structures in Dublin's North Georgian Core. We will share the results of the survey with Dublin City Council's conservation section so that issues may be addressed through targeted conservation advice clinics or grants.
My Department is partnering with Dublin City Council's conservation section to develop a walking trail of the Mountjoy Square-North Great George's Street Architectural Conservation Area. The walking trail is intended to raise awareness of the special character of the area and its built heritage.
In addition, my Department is funding Dublin City Council to undertake a research project to engage with key stakeholders in order to better understand the barriers to investment in conservation in the area and help design effective supports.
In regard to funding, you will be aware that several large projects within this area have received funding from my Department's Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF). These projects are as follows:
• Parnell Sq. Cultural Quarter Phase 1: URDF Allocation €60,443,467
• 15/16 Henrietta Street - Na Píobairí Uilleann - URDF Allocation €9,834,899
• Mountjoy Square Conservation Plan - URDF Allocation €2,726,25041
• Parnell Square - URDF Allocation €665,056
• 11 Parnell Square - URDF Allocation €3,862,500
Finally, conservation grants are available to owners under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF), which are funded by my Department and administered in the main by the local authority. As well as supporting conservation works, my Department funds the provision of expert conservation advice in respect of vacant traditional houses through the Conservation Advice Grants stream of the HSF. Historic structures in Blessington Street, Dominick Street Lower, Gardiner Street Lower, Gardiner Street Upper and North Great George's Street were among those awarded funding in 2025. We hope to expand the funding available under these schemes in 2026, subject to the Estimates process.
The Report of the Interdepartmental Group on the Dublin City Taskforce notes the agreed mission to create 'a healthy, vibrant, always-on city that respects its heritage'. It goes on to outline a range of projects, including public realm works and the development of the Dublin City Library, the Abbey Theatre, and the Fruit and Vegetable Market, which will have a major positive impact on the conservation of the city's built heritage. As described above, Dublin City Council will have oversight of the conservation aspects of these initiatives in line with Part IV of the Planning and Development Act. In exercising this role the Council can draw on a wide range of financial and technical supports made available by my Department.
