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Architectural Heritage

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

Questions (368)

Matt Carthy

Question:

368. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will introduce a new grant scheme to support the renovation of old and derelict farmhouses or other buildings in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15701/20]

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Written answers

My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF), both of which accept applications for conservation works to eligible farmhouses and other buildings in rural areas.

This year 450 heritage projects across every county in the country will benefit from a combined sum of over €4.3m under these schemes. This funding will support the owners and custodians of historic and protected structures as they carry out hundreds of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and safeguard our built heritage as well as providing vital support for local jobs in conservation, traditional skills and construction. Details of all projects approved for 2020 are published on my Department’s website as well as on each local authority website.

In addition, the Heritage Council, which is an agency of my Department, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, manages the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) for traditional farm buildings. The principal objective of this scheme is to ensure that traditional farm buildings and other related structures that contribute to the character of the landscape, and which are of significant heritage value, are conserved for active agricultural use. Grant amounts under this scheme vary between €4,000 and €25,000. I understand that the 2020 scheme closed for applications on 18th February , but further information can be sought from the Heritage Council directly.

While the primary responsibility to care for and maintain a protected structure rests with the owner, these schemes invest essential capital in our valuable built heritage and help the owners and custodians of historic structures in every local authority area across the country to safeguard their properties into the future for the benefit of communities.

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