Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses

The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses is an expanded funding scheme to provide grants for expert conservation advice to owners of traditional houses who are availing of, or considering, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.

The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme provides grants to cover 67% of the costs (up to a maximum grant of €5,000) of having a conservation expert with proven and appropriate expertise:

• visit a vacant or derelict traditional building
• conduct a survey, and
• compile tailored conservation advice for the property owner.

This expert advice will include a report which outlines the condition of the building and identifies conservation improvements which would restore it to use while enhancing its character, energy efficiency, integrity, and amenity.

The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme supports the refurbishment of properties under two streams.

Stream 1

Stream 1 of the scheme is open to owners of vacant traditional houses in villages, towns and cities where the building is a Protected Structure and/or an historic structure within an Architectural Conservation Area.

Buildings previously used for commercial purposes also qualify for the scheme where the intended use is as a single dwelling or a single dwelling over a shop.

This scheme supports the aims of the Town Centre First Policy and Housing for All.

Stream 2

Stream 2 of the scheme is open to owners of Vacant Traditional Farmhouses where the building is a Protected Structure and/or an historic farmhouse located within an Architectural Conservation Area and/or a vernacular farmhouse which has no statutory protection.

Vernacular farmhouses comprise modest homes constructed by people without formal training following long established folk traditions, using materials such as:

• thatch
• stone
• slate
• earth
• wattle
• unsawn timber.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant helps bring vacant and derelict properties back into use. It is available for the refurbishment of:

• vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence; and
• properties made available for rent, including the conversion of a property which has not yet been used as residential

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides a grant of:

• up to €50,000 to renovate a vacant property, or
• €70,000 to renovate a derelict property.

Information on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is available on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage website.

Properties must be vacant for two years or more and built no later than 2007.

Submit the application, along with required information, by 17:00 on 2 May 2025.

Please send any questions about the scheme to conservationadvicegrants@housing.gov.ie