Historic Structures Fund 2023

The core aims of this fund are to:

enable larger scale conservation works to be carried out on heritage structures which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support;
encourage the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and to help to secure the preservation of protected structures and/or culturally significant assets;
support the investment of private capital in labour-intensive projects to conserve historic structures in public and private ownership for community use.
support employment in the conservation and construction industries.
build resilience in our heritage properties to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change.

The closing date for this application is Tuesday 7th February 2023

The Department encourages project promoters to incorporate a traditional skills training element in the project.

Applications in respect of refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, and where a clear residential benefit is demonstrated, are particularly welcomed. (Such projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary.)

The Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2023 will be structured as follows:

Stream 1 will offer grants from €15,000 up to €50,000 and is aimed at essential repairs and smaller capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of heritage structures.

Stream 1, Historic Shopfronts sub-stream – To incentivise the conservation of historic shopfronts, each Local Authority is invited to submit an additional application under Stream 1 for eligible essential repairs and small capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of historic shop facades, windows, signage and other associated details to safeguard them and keep them in use. Local Authorities are also invited to make an additional application for Irish-language shopfronts.

Stream 2 will offer a small number of grants from €50,000 up to €200,000 for larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where:

A clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or
A clear residential benefit has been demonstrated (such projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary)

A grant of over €200,000 may be awarded in exceptional circumstances where a case is made by the applicant in relation to the significance of the project and the works proposed.

Vernacular Structures Stream - In the context of the forthcoming strategy for built vernacular, the pilot stream for vernacular structures introduced in 2021 will be retained, with increased funding of €150,000. The purpose of the stream is to support conservation repairs and small capital works to vernacular structures that are not listed in local authority Records of Protected Structures or otherwise legally protected. Such structures may be located within an Architectural Conservation Area. All local authorities can apply for funding for specific projects of between €5,000 and €10,000 for eligible projects.

The Minister may designate part of the Fund for projects in partnership with State-funded organisations such as the Office of Public Works, the Irish Heritage Trust, Waterways Ireland, The Irish Landmark Trust and others, to care for historic structures and buildings in public ownership and improve recreational infrastructure and public access to these heritage assets.

Documents

The closing date for application under Historic Structure Fund is Tuesday 7th February 2023