Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 September 2019
658. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there are grants available through the OPW to support the rethatching of a roof on a listed building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37693/19]
View answer683. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if grants are available through local authorities to help in the upgrading and rethatching of a thatched roof which is part of a listed building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37683/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 658 and 683 together.
Under my Department’s grant scheme for the renewal or repair of a thatched roof, funding of up to €3,810, or two thirds of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, may be payable in respect of necessary works to renew or repair the thatched roofs of private houses. There is no differentiation in these grants between properties that are or aren't 'listed buildings'. A higher level of assistance of up to €5,714 is available for houses on specified offshore islands. In the case of medical card holders, a grant of up to €6,350, or up to 80% of the approved cost, may be payable in respect of private houses situated on the mainland, rising to €8,252 where the house is situated on a specified off-shore island. Eligibility under the grant scheme is contingent on the house being occupied as a normal place of residence on completion of the approved works.
The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht also oversees a number of schemes to assist in the conservation of protected structures such as thatched cottages. These schemes are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund. They are administered through the local authorities and details are available on the website of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht at the following link:
https://www.chg.gov.ie/heritage/built-heritage/financial-assistance-for-architectural-heritage/ , including lists of projects being funded in 2019. Details of the schemes are also available on the websites of individual local authorities.
