PAC Report recommendations to provide greater protection for our listed buildings

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Michaela Boyle, speaking in her capacity as Chair of the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, says that the implementation of recommendations contained in a report by the scrutiny body would provide greater protection for our Listed Buildings across the north.

She said,

“There are 8,500 Listed Buildings across the north but our committee found that the ‘Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA)’ the body charged with safeguarding our listed buildings was not doing enough to protect this part of our heritage.
“For example in my own constituency, the failure by the NIEA to act in the case of the Stable Block at Sion Mills resulted in the deterioration of the signature building to a point where part of it had actually collapsed before NIEA finally stepped in to rescue it," Ms Boyle said.
“PAC found that the NIEA "cannot measure the overall impact" of the £20m it has spent awarding grants for listed buildings since 2005-06.We identified that there is "no statutory requirement for owners of listed buildings to maintain them in good condition".  NIEA also needs a proper performance management system for the listed buildings grant scheme
“It has therefore recommended that NIEA makes better use of its powers, including carrying out repairs to neglected buildings and then recouping the costs from the owner, or, "if necessary”, vesting the building in order to rescue it". While Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, raised the cap on grant-aid for listed buildings in the north from £50,000 to £150,000 in January, we have recommended the targeting of grants on the most vulnerable and valuable buildings.”