Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2024
203. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports available for the refurbishment or conversion of agricultural buildings for the purpose of residential housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6946/24]
View answerPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
Agricultural buildings are not eligible for the grant. The types of buildings eligible for the grant will be considered as part of a comprehensive review and evaluation of the scheme which is being undertaken at present and is expected to be completed in mid-2024.
Further support available is the Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses which is primarily a built heritage scheme, intended to support the conservation of an important and historically neglected part of our traditional building stock. I am pleased to note that it may also make a contribution to our broader efforts to tackle vacancy and dereliction.
Owners of derelict and/or vacant traditional farmhouses often undertake renovation works without professional advice, and may carry out unnecessary demolition or use materials that damage the historic fabric of the building. In general this results in a loss of historic character and, in some cases, further expenditure for the owner. It is hoped that these outcomes can be avoided through the timely provision of expert advice.
I would emphasise that this is a pilot scheme intended to trial the provision of conservation grants for vacant traditional farmhouses. My Department is currently looking into options for extending the scheme beyond vernacular farmhouses, to cover a wider range of historic buildings in both urban and rural areas, subject to appropriate sanction and to the estimates process.
I would also call attention to the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund, grant programmes offered by my Department which fund conservation works in a wide range of historic buildings. The Historic Structures fund in particular has a vernacular stream which is open to unprotected vernacular buildings. €9m was allocated to these schemes for 2024. Applications are made through the local authority and details may be sought from the conservation or heritage officer in the relevant local authority.
