I am delighted to be able to announce funding of €50,000 for heritage projects in Clare.

This funding confirmed by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys is a great boost for heritage projects in Clare. 340 heritage projects nationwide will share in a €2 million investment package as part of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme for 2016.

This funding will allow for the conservation and repair of heritage buildings in Clare.

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 County Clare.

Heritage buildings and protected structures are a vital part of Clare 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.