Conservation Grant Schemes

Conservation Advice Clinics for Owners of Historic Dwellings in ACAs

Dublin City Council, with funding support from the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) are seeking expressions of interest to attend Conservation Advice Clinics for homeowners in the Great Western Square & Environs Architectural Conservation Area and the Prospect Square/De Courcy Square & Environs Architectural Conservation Area. The scheme is limited to owners of historic dwellings in these Architectural Conservation Areas. The clinics will take place in May and June in the Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8

The clinics will give homeowners an opportunity to have an initial in-person 45-minute discussion about their project with a specialist Grade 1 Conservation Architect who has experience working with historic buildings. Advice is for conservation-led repairs to a historic dwelling only. Extensions or new builds are not covered nor are conversions of non-residential buildings. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.

The clinics will be held on May 19th, May 26th, May 28th, June 9th, June 11th and June 16th. Booking can be made here 

How applicants can make the most of their 45-minute appointment:

• Be able to clearly describe your property type (cottage, terraced house, etc.)
• Be prepared to give details about your concerns (damp, heating, light, etc.)
• Bring photos of site, building interior and exterior, any outbuildings, etc.
• Bring along a floor plan if available and know roughly the dimensions of rooms - this is often provided in an auctioneer’s floor plan; links from myhome.ie or daft.ie can be useful.
• You should also be able to find your building quickly on google maps/street view in case this is needed.
• Consider any other issues such as land access, overlooking buildings, protected status of the structure, etc.
• You may find it useful to write out some notes for yourself to act as points of discussion.

HISTORIC STRUCTURES FUND 2025

Applications are now being accepted for the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2025.

The Conservation Section of Dublin City Council will administer the HSF for 2025 on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage within the Dublin City Council area. The primary focus of the HSF is to assist the conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the broader benefit of communities and the public through investing essential capital in our valuable built heritage and helping the owners and custodians of historic structures to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.

For 2025, the HSF will offer grants from €50,000 up to €200,000 only, and focus on larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where:

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

The Historic Structures Fund provides capital funding for works to qualifying structures which include the following:

1. Protected Structures: Structures in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS);
2. Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved for inclusion. Such structures must meet the criteria for inclusion in the RPS, i.e. must be of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view;
3. Structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply

Eligible projects will be as follows:

1. projects proposed by local authorities on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of historic structures
2. projects proposed by a Local Authority for works to historic structures in public ownership, where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated

N.B. – Only one application to the HSF will be considered per historic structure

To download the documents, please click the links below:

The Irish language versions of the HSF 2025 application form and guidance documents are available on gov.ie (gov.ie - Ciste na Struchtúr Stairiúil)

Applications can be made online Here, by email ([email protected]) or by post (see address below). The deadline for submission of completed applications is 4PM ON FRIDAY 17TH JANUARY 2025. Late applications and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS)

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme, administered with the city area by Dublin City Council on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, supports essential repairs and smaller capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of heritage structures and the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons. The scheme is open to buildings that are either on the Record of Protected Structures, Proposed Protected Structures or buildings within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) within the Dublin City Council Area only.

The scheme provides grants of between €2,500 and €50,000, with an upper limit of percentage of State support to 80% of costs. Applicants should consult the documents below for full details on the scheme and the list of qualifying and non-qualifying works to ensure eligibility.

Funding for works of routine maintenance and minor repairs is also available through the BHIS. The maximum award for such projects will be €2,500.

To download the documents, please click the links below:

The Irish language versions of the BHIS 2025 Circular and Application Form are available here: https://www.gov.ie/ga/seirbhis/sceim-infheistiochta-don-oidhreacht-thogtha-siot/  

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.

• Please refer to the SEAI website for information

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