Niall Collins
Question:919. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38519/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (919)
Written answers
My Department is acutely aware of the problems facing owners of thatched buildings in relation to insuring their properties.
Our research indicates that difficulties accessing insurance are due to the relatively high incidence of fire in thatched houses in Ireland. Other jurisdictions with a lower incidence of fire have reported no major problems with the market for thatch insurance.
Accordingly, it is expected that addressing the sources of fire risk directly will lead to a reduction in the incidence of fire and a corresponding reduction in insurance costs, as commercial providers compete to win new business in the usual way.
My Department is currently finalising guidelines for safeguarding thatched houses against fire. Our research indicates that the risk of fire can be very substantially reduced through a small number of straightforward measures, such as not using a solid-fuel stove in a thatched building. It is expected that the guidelines will be published this month.
We are also seeking to enhance the response to fire on the part of the fire services, and have been engaging closely with the Department of Finance and the insurance sector to identify potential providers and improve the situation for owners.
Finally, my Department has a number of grant programmes in operation to assist owners of thatched buildings. A thatch repair grant has been available since 1990. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund, introduced more recently, also provide financial support to owners of thatched buildings. This year, in recognition of the significant challenges facing owners, my Department introduced a ring-fenced fund of €500,000 under the BHIS specifically for historic thatched structures.