Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
220. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of thatching grants paid by his Department in each of the past five years; the total cost of the scheme each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28984/23]
View answer221. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grant assistance available for rethatching vernacular houses; the conditions attached to receipt of the grant; the changes he proposes making to both the level of grant and the conditions in order to make it more affordable for people to protect this vital and irreplaceable part of our heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28985/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.
My Department’s grant scheme for the renewal or repair of a thatched roof, provides funding of up to €6,350 or up to 80% of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, 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, but the house must be ten or more years old and be structurally sound. Additionally, 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/
Details on the number of thatching grants paid by the Department in each of the past five years and the total cost of the scheme each year is shown in the following table:
|
Year |
No. of Grants Paid |
Total Amount of Grant Payments |
|
2018 |
101 |
€446,228 |
|
2019 |
89 |
€410,252 |
|
2020 |
107 |
€490,359 |
|
2021 |
95 |
€435,038 |
|
2022 |
103 |
€481,860 |
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 (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund, under which a combined total of €9 million is available for 2023. This year, for the first time, a dedicated €500,000 has been ring-fenced under the BHIS for conservation repairs to historic thatched structures. This aims to maximise the availability of financial assistance to owners of such properties, helping them offset other costs. These 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’. Under Action 6, my Department 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 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.
