Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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887. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grants are available to farmers to make roadway access to a derelict property and a hayshed on their lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6579/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine operates the very successful Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme (TFBS), which will pay grants to farmers to reinstate derelict farm buildings.

The Scheme is run in conjunction with the Heritage Council and has seen farm buildings renovated and returned to agricultural use across the country.

It is important to protect vernacular buildings, making the most of their value as built heritage and the benefits they can bring to the farm, including very often, the protection of wildlife.

The Department does not pay grants to farmers to make roadway access to parts of their farm. However, once access is made, the landowner concerned may be interested in TFBS, to restore the building.