Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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375. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the supports available for the maintenance and repair of thatched roofs in owner occupied houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36414/20]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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377. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the financial supports for the renewal of thatched roofs in owner occupied houses will be reviewed given the fact that the cost of carrying out such work has increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36416/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 377 together.

Under my Department’s renewal or repair of thatched roof grant scheme, in general a grant of up to €3,810, or two thirds of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, may be payable in respect of necessary works to renew or repair the thatched roofs of houses.  In the case of medical card holders however, a grant of up to €6,350, or up to 80% of the approved cost, may be payable in respect of houses situated on the mainland, rising to €8,252 where the house is situated on a specified off-shore island.  Eligibility under the grant scheme is contingent on the house being occupied as a normal place of residence on completion of the approved works.

A total of 89 applications were processed for 2019 with associated funding of €413,000.  As of the end of October, 2020 there were some 84 applications processed with €377,988 in grant funding drawn down under the scheme.  It is expected that a similar funding provision will be in place for 2021. I have no plans at this time to increase the maximum grant amounts payable under the thatched roof grant scheme.