Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 September 2022
162. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the grants available for persons living in thatched cottages for the upkeep of their roof; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47728/22]
View answer164. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage if he is reviewing the amount in grants that is available to the owners of thatched cottages (details supplied) to cover roof maintenance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47730/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 164 together.
Under my Department’s grant scheme for the renewal or repair of a thatched roof, funding of up to €6,350, or up to 80% 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 situated on the mainland where the private owner holds a medical card. A higher level of assistance of up to €8,252 is available for houses on specified offshore islands, where the owner holds a medical card. In the case of private owners without a medical card, 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 situated on the mainland, rising to €5,714 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 age of the roof is not considered under this scheme, however an applicant may be refused a grant for the renewal or repair of the thatch if a grant was paid under this scheme or Roinn na Gaeltachta scheme, within the previous 7 years. Further details on eligibility and how to apply can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/32e72-thatching-grant/
My Department also provides funding for the Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability scheme, which is a range of grants for necessary improvement works or adaptations to houses, in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability. These schemes cover works reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of applicants, and could in those circumstances include the repair or replacement of roofing.
The schemes are administered by local authorities and details of the application process can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/
My Department also oversees a number of schemes to assist in the conservation of protected structures, which may include repairs to historic roofing. These schemes are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund. The schemes are administered through the local authorities and details are available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/32ae3-financial-assistance-for-architectural-heritage/
Separately, Minister Noonan, launched A Living Tradition, the new vernacular architectural heritage strategy, in December 2021. Action 6 of the strategy sets out to ‘enhance the protection and conservation of historic thatched roofs’. Officials in my Department have established a specific steering group, the Built Vernacular Heritage (Thatch) Steering Group to oversee and assist with the implementation of this particular part of the strategy. Under Action 6, the Steering Group will examine all issues relevant to thatched buildings, including thatching standards, fire prevention guidance, and the availability of suitable thatching materials, and any other relevant matters. The action also seeks to accelerate the recording and protection of these buildings, and to establish a central database. At present my Department estimates that there are 2,000 older vernacular thatched houses, and the establishment of a central database will provide further clarity on this figure.
My Department, in conjunction with the Steering Group, will also progress relevant parts of other actions of the strategy as they relate to thatch, including a review of grant assistance for such buildings.
