Service
Pilot Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
The 2023 pilot scheme is now closed. No further applications will be funded this year as payments must be processed within the 2023 budget cycle. Consideration is being given to a 2024 scheme, subject to funding. Those wishing to express an interest may submit an application ( conservationadvicegrants@housing.gov.ie ), which will be kept on file and considered for funding in any 2024 scheme.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is running a pilot scheme to provide grants for expert conservation advice to owners of vacant farmhouses in private ownership who are availing of and/or considering the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses will provide a grant of up to €7,500 (ex VAT) to cover the cost of having a conservation expert with proven and appropriate expertise to visit the property, conduct a survey, and compile tailored conservation advice for the property owner. The report will outline the condition of the building, suggest conservation repairs and improvements which would improve the building and enhance the building’s character, energy efficiency, integrity, and amenity.
Traditional (also known as ‘vernacular’) farmhouses are a key part of our rural landscape and shared heritage. Sometimes described as ‘cottages’, these buildings generally comprise modest houses constructed using local materials and traditional techniques by ‘ordinary’ people using locally available materials such as thatch, stone, slate, earth, wattle and unsawn timber. Later on corrugated iron, despite its imported, industrial origin, was also used.
In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use.
From 1 May 2023, 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, including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residential heretofore.
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.
Properties must be vacant for two years or more and built up to and including 2007.
Pilot Conservation Advice Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses
Download link for
Download
View the file
View
Pilot Conservation Advice Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses: Application Form for Building Owners
Download link for
Download
View the file
View