Heritage Council funding for Co. Wicklow a great boost to local economy
Deputy Andrew Doyle, TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, has described the Heritage Council’s decision to back four Wicklow based projects as a great boost for Wicklow’s local economy.
This year €14,600 has been awarded for a Biodiversity survey of bridges and culverts in County Wicklow. Wicklow Wetlands Survey has received €14,485 and the Restoration of Carnew Castle Wall has been awarded €7,000. The Ongoing Development of the Ballinastoe Collaborative Deer Management Group has been granted €4000 in funding.
The Heritage Council is also providing core funding of €65,000 to the Wicklow Uplands Council.
In 2012, the Heritage Council will allocate approx. 1.5 million under the Heritage Grant Scheme to 372 heritage projects across Ireland.
Research of the 2010 and 2011 Grants Scheme found that every €1m spent on grants by the Heritage Council supported 70 jobs directly and 300 jobs across a range of related sectors.
This research also shows that in 2010, Heritage Council funded projects attracted approximately 18,700 tourists, while every €1 spent by the Heritage Council generated €4.40 for the Irish tourism industry.
‘The decision to grant funding to these Wicklow projects and especially €65,000 to the Uplands Council is fantastic news. It will support sustainable development and promote projects in several areas including Environment & Recreation, Economic & Tourism, Community & Property Owners.’
‘This research illustrates how beneficial Heritage Council funding can be for an area. This funding acts as a great support for local jobs and tourism. The fact that €1 spent by the Heritage Council equals €4.40 in tourism revenue means this funding will result in an increase of local jobs and an upsurge in tourism levels in Wicklow. It will be a great boost for the county.’
In County Wicklow projects which will receive funding in 2012 include;
Biodiversity survey of bridges and culverts in County Wicklow – to survey a selection of bridges and culverts in the county, focusing on those structures for which impediments to fish and animal passage occur, or are most likely to occur. Use the results to draw up biodiversity enhancement recommendations for individual sites.
Wicklow Wetlands Survey (Phase 2) – to carry out a Phase 2 Wetland survey of County Wicklow, compiling information about the extent, distribution and condition of sites.
The Ongoing Development of the Ballinastoe Collaborative Deer Management Group – the Wicklow Deer Management Group was successfully established in 2011 with the assistance of funding from the Heritage Council. The group has had a successful start and is currently collaboratively recording and sharing deer metrics relating to observations and actual cull information. This application seeks continued support from the Heritage Council for this important pioneering collaborative deer management project.
Restoration Carnew Castle Wall – built in the 1200s, Carnew Castle is surrounded by a wall which was built in the early 18th century. This wall partially collapsed in the winter of 2009 and has remained unrepaired since that date. This project is being undertaken by Carnew Training & Development.