The Heritage Council is looking forward to expanding its programme of work next year as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, today confirmed a budget increase of €4m for 2023.

The announcement means that the Heritage Council can allocate more resources next year to its valuable schemes and programmes, all of which contribute to protecting, preserving and enhancing our national heritage.

The increase will also allow the Heritage Council to continue its work in recruiting biodiversity officers to local authorities around the country; a programme that ensures national biodiversity policies are implemented and integrated at local level.

A more detailed breakdown will be available in the near future.

Welcoming today’s announcement, Chairperson of The Heritage Council, Martina Moloney, said:

“The increase in our budget allocation for 2023 is a significant acknowledgement at Government level of how important the Heritage Council’s work is and will continue to be, particularly in the context of our emerging new strategy and Heritage Ireland 2030. Many challenges confront the heritage sector; strengthening biodiversity in the face of climate change, helping our young people to remain educated and informed about all aspects of our national heritage, and supporting local communities to protect and conserve their heritage in towns and villages across the country. We will use our increased allocation with care and determination to ensure progress across all these areas and others next year and beyond.”

Chief Executive of The Heritage Council Virginia Teehan added:

“The Heritage Council is looking forward to continuing its work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as well as collaborating with local authorities and other partners across the heritage sector next year. We rely on these important relationships to help support the heritage sector and to achieve our common goals, and the increased budget guarantees that the Heritage Council can make significant strides forward as it continues its important work in 2023.”