Mr. John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today has announced (29 April) grant offers totalling €3.5m to 138 Conservation projects around the country, under the Civic Structures Conservation Grants Scheme, 2008.

The Heritage Council has announced details of the first projects to be grant aided under the new Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research (INSTAR) Programme 2008.

Clare County Council has announced that it is to compile an inventory of industrial heritage structures within the county.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland intends to publish the revised standard - I.S.3218 – Code of Practice for Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings - System Design, Installation, Servicing and Maintenance.

Ms. Mary Wallace T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for forestry, has announced an increase in the grant levels for certain elements of the NeighbourWood Scheme and the Native Woodland Scheme.

Community interest groups across Clare are being invited to have their say on the drafting of a new heritage strategy for the county.

Mr John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has launched the legal incorporation and charitable status designation of ICOMOS Ireland - together with the organisation’s website.

Mary Wallace T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has announced payment of over €52 million to more than 10,000 forest owners, most of whom are farmers.