Conservation Grant funding
Find out more about conservation grant funding schemes below.
Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2023 / Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2023
Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has announced the continued implementation of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and Historic Structures Fund (HSF) in 2023. The Conservation Section of Dublin City Council will administer these schemes for buildings that are either on the Record of Protected Structures or within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) within the Dublin City Council Area only. There is also a grant stream for vernacular structures with no legal protection under the Historic Structures Fund.
Applications in respect of an individual structure can be made to both schemes, but funding will only be awarded from one scheme in any one year. Applicants cannot avail of funding under both the Historic Structures Fund and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme in the same year.
Built heritage Investment Scheme
Under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme the minimum level of funding awarded will be €2,500 up to a maximum of €15,000. This scheme supports small-scale conservation projects and the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment.
Funding for works of routine maintenance and minor repairs are available under the BHIS scheme. The maximum award for such projects will be €2,500.
The Guidance Circular on the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2023 and the Application Form are available to download.
Historic Structures Fund
The Historic Structures Fund enables larger scale conservation works to be carried out on significant historic structures in need of urgent support; The Historic Structures Fund has four Streams in 2023:
Stream 1 offers 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 offers grants from €15,000 up to €50,000 for essential repairs and small capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of historic shop facades, windows, signage and other associated details. Irish language shopfronts are also invited to apply for funding under this scheme for 2023
Stream 2 offers 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.
Vernacular Structures Stream offers support for conservation repairs and small capital works to vernacular structures that are not listed in local authority Records of Protected Structures or otherwise legally protected. Grants will be between €5,000 and €10,000 for eligible projects.
The Guidance Circular on the Historic Structures Fund 2023 and the Application Form are available to download.
The Irish language versions of the BHIS 2023 and HSF 2023 Circulars and Application Forms are available here: gov.ie - Cúnamh Airgeadais don Oidhreacht Thógtha (www.gov.ie)
Applications for both schemes should be made directly by post or email to the Conservation Section of Dublin City Council. The deadline for submission of completed applications is 4pm on Friday 13th January 2023.
Relief for expenditure on approved buildings and gardens in the State
Tax relief is available for the owner of an approved heritage building. This is encompassed under Section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997. The expenditure can be incurred for the repair, maintenance or restoration of approved buildings. Approval for buildings is sought from the Department of Housing, Local and Government and Heritage's Service and the tax relief is administered by the Revenue Commissioners.
Approved buildings, gardens and objects (revenue.ie)
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)
SEAI operates a number of programmes that provide financial grants for energy efficiency improvements for building owners. The ‘Better Energy Home Scheme’ includes grants towards insulation, high efficiency boilers and controls, BER certificates and renewable technologies. They also operate the ‘Warmer Homes Scheme’ for people in receipt of fuel allowance benefit; towards attic insulation, draught-proofing, lagging jackets, energy efficient lighting, cavity wall insulation and energy advice.
Please note that not all of these works would be considered exempt in a protected structure or in an architectural conservation area. Contact the Conservation Section for advice.
The Living City Initiative
The Living City initiative (LCI) is a tax incentive scheme to assist and encourage people to live in the historic inner city areas of Dublin city. It allows owners and investors to claim tax relief for money spent on refurbishment and/or conversion of residential property - either as income tax relief (for owner-occupied residential) or capital allowance (for rented residential).
For further information on the LCI pease click here:
https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/planning/active-land-management/living-city-initiative