Economic Value of Ireland's Historic Environment - The Heritage ...

appreciation, this study is directed at establishing, for the first time, a robust set of estimates for the
economic value of the nation's historic environment to the overall economy.
A robust economic evidence base is central to substantiating a compelling rationale for the provision of
public and private sector funding in the historic environment. Within a context of scarce resources and
enhanced scrutiny of public expenditure (including the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure – CRE), it
is increasingly important to be able to demonstrate impact, and to estimate and quantify the economic
and social return on public investment using meaningful and consistent methods of measurement.
The focus of this study therefore, is on identifying and accurately quantifying the nature of economic and
social benefits which may be rightly attributed to Ireland's built historic environment and the work of the
Heritage Council and other organisations active in the sector. Presently, there is limited evidence
demonstrating the value of the Ireland's historic environment with the context of the wider national
economy. Establishing economic impacts associated with Ireland's historic environment should be seen
as a critical step towards greater acceptance and understanding of the need for regular investment, and
in order to more fully realise the potential value of these heritage assets in years to come.
1.3 Method and Analytical Framework
In meeting the aims and objectives of the study the research has comprised a number of principal tasks:
Inception and scoping meetings held with representatives of the project Steering Group
Desk research review of strategic documents and research reports produced by The Heritage
Council and partner organisations in relation to Ireland's historic environment
Desk research review of comparable studies and other relevant research, including a number of
recent international studies
Collation of relevant data in respect of Ireland's historic environment assets, organisations and
activities, and associated links to other sectors in the national economy - including financial,
economic and tourism information
Consultations held with core heritage organisations and other representative interests to further
establish the specific characteristics, role and importance of Ireland's historic environment
A series of ten case studies as illustrative examples of the wider economic, social and community
value of Ireland's historic environment
On the basis of the above secondary desk research and primary fieldwork, and including appropriate
application of multipliers, development of an economic impact assessment of Ireland's historic
environment
Progress and review meetings held with the project Steering Group to present and discuss emerging
findings.
Our approach to the economic impact assessment is based around an income expenditure framework
(illustrated in Figure 1.1), with this providing the necessary framework for capture and analysis of benefits
generated as a consequence of Ireland's historic environment.
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