Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2015
638. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the grant assistance available for the restoration of an old farm house dwelling dating back to the 1800s which has significant local history attached to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33202/15]
View answerThe scope for funding for the conservation of the built heritage is currently constrained by the significant reduction in the public finances. None the less, the competing priorities regarding the preservation and enhancement of the national heritage are kept under ongoing review having regard to the resources available to my Department.
In 2015, under the Structures at Risk Fund, the outcome of which was announced in May, an allocation of €624,000 was available, to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This fund which is administered through the local authorities encourages the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and helps to secure the preservation of protected structures which might otherwise be lost. The fund was open to two applications per local authority of which one application may be in respect of a privately-owned building. The amount of funding available per project was subject to a minimum level of €15,000 and a maximum level of €60,000. Since 2011, in excess of 130 structures have been safeguarded for the future as a result of the Structures at Risk Fund. The future operation of the scheme is subject to funding being made available to my Department.
The Heritage Council administers a grants scheme to REPS 4 participants, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, on the conservation and repair of traditional farm buildings, called the REPS 4 Traditional Farm Buildings Grants Scheme. Grants are available to carry out approved conservation works to the exterior of farm outbuildings and associated structures, such as historic yard surfaces, walls, gate pillars and gates. The Heritage Council may be able to advise about the availability of funding under the scheme. The Heritage Council's website is www.heritagecouncil.ie.
