New scheme offers thousands to ready vacant farmhouses for refurbishment

By Ellen Gough
Published 14th Jun 2023, 16:48 BST
Updated 14th Jun 2023, 17:46 BST
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THE Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage have launched a new pilot scheme to provide grants for expert advice to owners of vacant farm houses already availing of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.

The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses will provide grants of up to €7,500 (excl. VAT) to cover the cost of a conservation expert with proven and appropriate expertise to visit a property, conduct a survey, and compile tailored conservation advice for the property owner. 

This expert advice will include a report which outlines the condition of a building and suggests conservation repairs and improvements which would improve the building and enhance its character, energy efficiency, integrity, and amenity.

The scheme is designed to conserve the traditional (also known as ‘vernacular’) farmhouses that are a key part of the Irish rural landscape. Sometimes described as ‘cottages’, these buildings are generally old houses constructed using traditional techniques and locally available materials such as thatch, stone, slate, earth, wattle, and timber.placeholder image
The scheme is designed to conserve the traditional (also known as ‘vernacular’) farmhouses that are a key part of the Irish rural landscape. Sometimes described as ‘cottages’, these buildings are generally old houses constructed using traditional techniques and locally available materials such as thatch, stone, slate, earth, wattle, and timber.

The new scheme will provide access to expert assistance for vernacular farmhouse owners considering availing of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, which provides a grant of up to €50,000 to renovate a vacant property, for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict homes in both rural and urban areas or properties that have previously not been in residential use.  

Speaking at the launch of the scheme, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien said: “I am delighted to launch this new pilot which further emphasises our desire to tackle vacancy and dereliction. Traditional farmhouse buildings present unique challenges when it comes to refurbishment and this new pilot scheme will help remove some of these obstacles by allowing owners to obtain the expert advice needed to restore these structures and bring them back into use.”

Those interested in availing of the scheme can apply through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage website.

Related topics:heritageGovernmentVATLocal Government
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