Written answers

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Thatching Grants Eligibility

Photo of Áine CollinsÁine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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555. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who wishes to re-roof and maintain a thatched cottage; her views on the level of funding under the build heritage job leverage scheme and the thatching grant administered by her Department. [35598/14]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The architectural conservation officer in the local authority, in this case Cork County Council, will generally be able to advise of funding available for conservation works to thatched buildings in the area and it is advisable for interested parties to remain in contact with their local authority on an on-going basis. Officials from my Department have also given direct advice in 2014 to persons acting for the owner of the particular thatched structure referred to by the Deputy.

A number of State financial supports provide for the conservation and preservation of heritage structures in general. For example, in 2014 my Department made available a fund of €5 million under the Built Heritage and Jobs Leverage Scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012. This scheme, which is operated and administered by the local authorities, is supporting works to approximately 600 protected structures nationally, including works to over 50 thatched structures.I understand that the owner of the thatched structure in question has made an application to Cork County Council in this regard, which the Council is currently assessing.

My Department does not administer a funding scheme specifically for thatched structures. However, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government administers a grant scheme for the renewal or repair of thatched roofs of owner occupied houses. I am informed by my colleague, the Minister for Environment Community and Local Government, that under this grant scheme a grant of €6,350 has been provisionally approved in this case and is now awaiting final inspection by that Department’s inspector.

The Heritage Council, which my Department also funds, administers a heritage management community grants scheme. Whilst I understand that applications have closed for their 2014 scheme, the Council may be able to advise if the structure would be eligible for funding now or in the future. The Heritage Council’s website is .

The level of funding available in 2015 and future years for these schemes will be subject to the normal Budgetary and Estimates processes. As the Deputy can appreciate, the scope for additional funding for the conservation of the built heritage is constrained by the significant reduction in the public finances and subject to competing priorities within the sector.

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