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Conservation of Buildings

Offaly County Council - Note as of February 2011 the Dept EHLG has 'paused' this scheme

The Conservation Grant Scheme is operated by Offaly County Council on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is provided to assist owners and occupiers to carry out conservation works or repairs on protected structures.  The scheme is part of a package of measures introduced by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to strengthen the protection of the architectural heritage. 

Under the scheme, a wide range of conservation works will qualify for grants, generally amounting to 50% of the cost of the works up to a maximum of 13,000 euros and in special circumstances up to 75% and 25,000 euros.  Works consisting of routine maintenance will not qualify. 

In general the scheme is advertised by Offaly County Council in local papers in January each year.  The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 4^th February 2011at 4.00pm.  Applications must be submitted in hard copy only. Procedure with the scheme in 2011 is subject to Departmental grant allocation.

Works must be completed within the same year as the application is made.  Details of the scheme and application forms can be obtained from the Planning Section, Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Download 2011 Application form. Download Explanation Memorandum.

Heritage Council

Posted 22 February 2011. These schemes have been prioritized as they help meet the aims of the national recovery programme by supporting skills and crafts while conserving important aspects of the national heritage.

1.      Significant Places of Public Worship.

This grant scheme, initiated in 2008, is being made available again in 2011. A fund of €500,000 has been allocated under this heading. It is envisaged that no more than 7 or 8 offers will be made to conservation projects that conform with the criteria. The closing date for applications is 31^st March 2011 at 5.00 p.m.

2.      Large-Scale Properties  

This scheme is for the repair of large-scale buildings of national interest that are open to the public. €250,000 has been allocated under this heading. It is envisaged that no more than 3 or 4 grants will be offered to conservation projects that conform with the criteria. The closing date for applications is 31^st March 2011 at 5.00 p.m.

 3.      Conservation Plan led projects

Since its inception, the Heritage Council has promoted the use of Conservation Plans as a means to safeguard important places, buildings and landscapes. A considerable body of conservation plans has been devised ranging from plans which were devised by Council as well as plans commissioned by private bodies and State/local authorities.  In order to advance the implementation of such plans, it is now proposed to offer grants to support conservation works that follow from conservation plans. In particular, Council is seeking to support actions seeking to resolve conflicts in relation to heritage values. A fund of €150,000 has been allocated under this heading. It is envisaged that no more than 7 offers will be made to conservation projects that conform with the criteria. The closing date for applications is 31^st March 2011 at 5.00 p.m.

Further information on these schemes can be downloaded from the Heritage Council’s website www.heritagecouncil.ie/grants. It will be possible to register to make an application for one of the schemes from Monday 21^st February 2011. A project cannot be funded by more than one of these schemes in any given year. Application for these grants will be on-line only.

4. The 2011/12 REPS4 Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme is open until Friday 1st July 2011. The scheme is managed by the Heritage Council on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Fishe.ries and Food. PDFs of the application form and booklet here can be download on www.heritagecouncil.ie.

The grant is available for the conservation of the external appearance of farm outbuildings, including roof, walls, window and door repairs. Conservation works to associated structures such as historic yard surfaces, walls, gate pillars and gates will be considered if they are part of the overall project to repair an outbuilding. This grant scheme does not cover works to the interior of buildings. Farmhouses, residential or domestic buildings are not eligible for funding.

Who can apply for this grant scheme:

1. A farmer who has a REPS 4 contract with the Department of Agriculture and who is in receipt of a REPS4 payment
2. The owner of the building for which funding is sought or applicant is acting with the permission of the owner and  
3. The building applied for is in agricultural use

• The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pmFriday 1^st July 2011in Heritage Council offices
• The process is highly competitive and a grant award will not be for more than 75% of the cost of the works with a maximum grant of €20,000
• Applications made by fax or email will not be accepted
• The Heritage Council will inform all applicants of the outcome of their application in writing before end of Summer 2011.
• Successful applicants will have until Summer 2012 to complete project works.

Anna Meenan, Project Manager, REPS 4 Traditional Farm Buildings Grants Scheme, The Heritage Council, Church Lane, Kilkenny

Department of Environment Heritage And Local Government

Thatch

A grant of two thirds of the approved cost, up to a maximum of €3,810 is available for owner occupied houses. Contact the Housing Grants Section, DOEHLG, Government Buildings, Ballina, Co. Mayo. Tel: 096 24200 or Locall 1890 305030 - HA2T Memorandum and the HA1/90 Application Form. or see www.environ.ie

Living under Thatch by Barry O'Reilly, 2004, Mercier Press, provides a profile of thatched properties in Offaly and practical advice on how to take care of them. Available from Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society info@offalyhistory.com or through www.mercierpress.ie

Refer to the National Inventory of Ireland website for detailed information regarding Thatch in Ireland - including a recently published report, a list of insurance companies, sourcing thatch materials and contact details for thatchers in Ireland www.buildingsofireland.ie

Civic Structures Grant

The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government have an annual grant for conservation of Civic Structures. See Circular.

Section 482, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997

Section 482 provides tax relief to the owner/occupier of an approved building (including surrounding garden), or an approved garden existing independently in respect of expenditure incurred on the repair, maintenance or restoration of the approved building or garden. However certain conditions relating to public access apply. For more details and a list of Section 482 properties in Offaly see list.

Irish Georgian Society

The Irish Georgian Society has a grant scheme - for details email info@igs.ie