POLITICS: Fine Gael Minister of State Joe McHugh TD has welcomed funding of €50,000 for eight heritage projects in Co. Donegal.
“This funding announced today by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys is a great boost for heritage projects in Donegal.
340 heritage projects nationwide will share in a €2 million investment package as part of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme for 2016.
McHugh told Donegal Daily, “This funding will allow for the conservation and repair of heritage buildings in Donegal.
“A wide range of properties will benefit, including residential homes, townhouses, railway stations, churches, country houses and other heritage buildings.
“The scheme follows a similar model to the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme, which proved to be very successful in 2014.
“It is expected this new scheme will leverage an additional €8 million in private funds and will generate significant employment in the conservation and construction industries nationwide and here in Donegal.
“Heritage buildings and protected structures are a vital part of Donegal and the Government is committed to supporting their conservation.
“Fine Gael has a long term economic plan to keep the keep the recovery going which will allow for these kinds of investments to take place.
The plan has three steps: more and better jobs, making work pay more than welfare, and investment in better public services, which will only be possible as a result of the increased revenue generated by creating more jobs.
“This plan will ensure that more people feel the benefits of a recovering economy in their own lives.”