Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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227. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his position on the threat to the heritage of thatched cottages in Ireland due to the significant decline of insurance providers willing to cover the properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44742/22]

Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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228. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department will intervene to provide support to ensure that the heritage of thatched cottages in Ireland is protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44743/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 228 together.

I am very aware of the concern expressed by owners of thatched properties in relation to their difficulties with insurance. Under Action 6 of the strategy for built vernacular heritage, A Living Tradition, which I launched in December 2021, my Department has undertaken to “investigate and work to resolve the urgent issue of affordability of insurance for thatched buildings” and other relevant issues relating to thatch and thatched buildings.

Insurance is being urgently examined as this has become an acute problem for many owners of thatched properties. A study is under way to examine the issues relating to insurance for thatch and I expect an interim report by the end of this month and a final report by the end of November. As part of the study, officials in my Department have been canvassing thatch owners for their views and experience of securing insurance for their properties. Officials have also consulted with insurance companies and brokers, in Ireland and abroad, fire authorities, and other relevant bodies, to get their assistance in resolving the issue.

On the basis of the recommendations set out in the report, and any avenues for progress that suggest themselves in the meantime, my Department will work urgently to seek practical solutions to the thatch insurance issue.

I have established a steering group to assist my Department in the implementation actions relating to thatch insurance, and wider actions in relation to thatching skills, thatching materials, and the surveying and recording of thatched buildings. Two members of the group are thatch owners, including a thatcher, another is a thatching grant inspector, and the others have key roles in relevant outside bodies.

My Department continues to offer a number of financial supports to owners of protected structures, including thatched properties. Under my Department’s grant scheme for the renewal or repair of thatched roofs, there is a grant of up to €3,810 available, where a house is used as a normal place of residence; in the case of medical card holders, the grant can be up to €6,350; and on certain offshore islands the grant can rise to €8,252.

Other streams of grant assistance to thatch owners include the Historic Structures Fund, a stream of which is directed towards vernacular buildings that are not on a local authority record of protected structures, and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme. I secured combined funding of €8m for these schemes in 2022 and it is intended to run them again in 2023; details of next year's schemes will be made available in November.