197. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the published assessment criteria for the community heritage grant scheme; the process by which applications are assessed and refused; the review or appeal mechanism available to unsuccessful applicants; and whether, as the Department funding the scheme, he will seek a report from the Heritage Council on how the criteria were applied in the case of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50167/26]

The Heritage Council is a statutory body established by the Heritage Act 1995. The Council is an agency under the auspices of this Department but is independent in the performance of its functions. As such, details of its grant schemes including documentation and assessment criteria should be sought from the Council in the first instance, with Community Heritage Grant Scheme information available on its website at https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/funding/heritage-funding-opportunities/community-heritage-grant-scheme

In addition, arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Heritage Council is oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie

As such, given the independence of the Heritage Council in respect of its functions and the arrangements already in place to facilitate contact with the Council, I do not intend to seek a report in respect of any individual scheme applications at this time.