Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

252. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason an application was unsuccessful under the historic structures fund (details supplied); whether there is any further funding available and if not, the reasons why the allocation for this year's tranche of funding was lower than before; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16447/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As outlined in my reply to Question no. 445 of 4 March, since demand for grants typically exceeds the supply of funds available, Historic Structures Fund grants are awarded on a competitive basis, with applications scored and prioritised according to the declared criteria in the scheme circular.

As the application in question received a relatively low score for the quality of the methodology proposed, the assessment panel recommended it would not be an efficacious use of funding. Professional and technical staff from my Department are available to provide further advice to the applicant, and a revised application for the structure would be welcome when the scheme reopens later this year.

It is important to note that this year grants of between €15,000 and €50,000 have been allocated through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) rather than the HSF. The BHIS is operated on the basis of fixed allocations to local authorities; the allocation to Wicklow County Council rose from €91,000 in 2024 to €175,635 in 2025.

The HSF does not operate on the basis of fixed allocations to local authorities; instead grants are awarded competitively on a national basis. This gives rise to natural variation in the awards based on the relative quality and urgency of the applications submitted.