COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

QUESTION NO.2

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

"To ask the Chief Executive for a report into if SDCC would apply for The Historic Towns Initiative that aims to provide support to historic towns engaged in a programme of heritage-led regeneration. In seeking applications we are particularly interested in projects that address vacancy in town centres, that propose the re-use of historic structures and that can act as a demonstrator for future projects?"

REPLY:

The Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) is a joint undertaking by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.  The scheme aims to promote the heritage-led regeneration of Ireland’s historic towns by helping to rebuild local economies, with heritage as a focal point.

The HTI is administered by the Heritage Council, and is advised by the HTI National Steering Group.  Applications are only accepted from local authorities, and matching funding of at least 20% of total project expenditure is required for each project funded. 

Priority is given to applications that are ‘plan-led’, i.e. in line with an already developed HTI Management Plan based on the HTI framework, or a Conservation Plan, or a Public Realm Plan, or eligible actions from a Town Centre Health Check Plan, or equivalent.  As grants awarded by the HTI can only be used to fund capital works, it is expected that these plans are already in place prior to an application being made for a capital grant to the HTI.  

The application and assessment process for 2021 has been completed, and funding has been allocated to the relevant local authorities for projects in Counties Kerry, Donegal, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Waterford, Offaly, Wexford, Meath and Kilkenny.