Publication
Financial Assistance for Architectural Heritage
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
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Financial assistance is provided to assist with the conservation and restoration of heritage properties through schemes which are generally administered by the local authorities.
In the context of a particular building, especially one on the Record of Protected Structures, the best advice for the owner may be to contact the Architectural Conservation Officer in the Local Authority. They will be able to advise on the various types of funding available to assist with the building
On 2 November 2023, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, announced funding for both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund in 2024. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2024 has been allocated €4.5m. The Historic Structures Fund 2024 has also been allocated €4.5m.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2024 (BHIS) is for the repair and conservation of structures that are protected under the Planning and Development Acts. This Scheme aims to support a significant number of labour-intensive, small-scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment. Grants of between €2,500 and €15,000 are available. The Department will also continue to run the ‘micro’ grant stream introduced in 2020 for works of routine maintenance and minor repairs.
It should be noted that the 2024 Built Heritage Investment Scheme will include ring-fenced funding of €500,000 for conservation repairs to thatched structures to maximise the availability of financial assistance to such owners, helping them offset other costs.
The fund is administered through the local authorities.
The Historic Structures Fund 2024 (HSF) is for conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership. The primary focus of the Historic Structures Fund is on conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the benefit of communities and the public. Grants of between €15,000 and €50,000 are available under Stream 1, and of between €50,000 and €200,000 under Stream 2.
The following pilot streams, introduced in 2021, have been incorporated into the scheme for 2024:
Vernacular Structures
This stream will fund what can be termed ‘informal’ traditional buildings, which are a significant part of our intangible cultural heritage.
Historic Shopfronts
This stream is to incentivise the conservation of historic shopfronts and will fund small capital works to their facades, windows, signage and other associated details. Local Authorities are invited to make additional applications for a maximum of one English and one Irish-language shopfront under Stream 1.
The fund is generally administered through the local authorities.
Any enquiries about funding under these schemes should be directed to the relevant local authority (the Architectural Conservation Officer or other person in the local authority dealing with the schemes).
A small amount of emergency funding for urgent conservation repairs to historic structures may be available outside the annual grant cycle (e.g. for time-sensitive repairs to severe storm damage). Applications for financial assistance for such intended work will be considered by the Department on a case by case basis.
Built Heritage Policy
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Custom House
Dublin 1 D01 W6X0
Built Heritage Investment Scheme: Email: bhis@housing.gov.ie
Historic Structures Fund: Email: hsf@housing.gov.ie