Publication
Heritage Ireland 2030 Delivery Update
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
Malcolm Noonan TD
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Heritage Ireland 2030 celebrates the diversity of Ireland’s heritage and the value placed on it by so many. Built around a vision for Ireland’s heritage in all its forms – built, natural, cultural, linguistic, tangible and intangible – being at the very centre of local and national discourse, Heritage Ireland 2030 recognises the fundamental importance of heritage to our society, well-being and economy.
Heritage Ireland 2030 presents an overarching framework for the protection of our heritage for the next ten years with over 150 actions aimed at achieving this. These actions stem from extensive stakeholder and public consultation, as well as interdepartmental consultation.
Approved by Government in 2021, Heritage Ireland 2030 was set against a backdrop of significant change, transformation, renewal and crisis response in the heritage sector, natural, built and cultural.
A year and a half into the implementation of the plan, I am pleased to report that there is significant ongoing progress in terms of delivery. Substantial increases in funding by Government over the last number of years to this department and to the Heritage Council is assisting greatly with delivery, which can only be achieved by working collaboratively with other stakeholders across government, Local Authorities and the sector.
Increasing capacity and resources has been progressing steadily since Heritage Ireland 2030 was approved by Government, including substantial staffing increases across a newly formed National Parks and Wildlife Service Executive Agency. Ramping up of Local Authority heritage posts is also continuing, which is so crucial to delivery as was made clear at last year’s inaugural Heritage Ireland 2030 Summit.
Our department is monitoring delivery of Heritage Ireland 2030, liaising with others who have key roles in delivering and caring for Ireland’s heritage with activity specifically relevant to the various Actions. Structures are in place with a senior officials group established and working groups being formed. An annual Heritage Ireland 2030 Summit was a commitment in the plan and I am pleased we are able to present this delivery report in time for the second Summit.
Using a basic traffic light system, this delivery update shows where progress is being made and where more work is yet to be done. A separate document, providing detail on some areas of activity relevant to delivery of the Actions, is also available on the Heritage Ireland 2030 webpage. This is a mere snapshot of activity in relation to delivery at this time and doesn’t capture all of the work undertaken across the sector, we will continue to work to establish efficient reporting structures that might most effectively capture all relevant activity on a regular basis.
We all have much more to do over the lifetime of this plan. We must all continue to further strengthen heritage partnerships and bolster community engagement, providing the tools they want and need to protect heritage. We must all continue to be innovative and ambitious in addressing the challenges we face including biodiversity loss and climate change. We must continue building resilience in our ability and capacity to meet these challenges. We must also celebrate the wonderful regenerative power of heritage for our well-being, in our towns, villages and countrywide, among communities and for all. While there is much still to do in achieving the vision of Heritage Ireland 2030- and let us acknowledge that honestly- let us also celebrate the partnerships and progress being made to reach that height.
