On 18 November 2020, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, announced increased funding for both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund in 2021.
Heritage Buildings Funding
Funding available for Sligo’s Heritage Buildings
Wehrly's Jewellers, O'Connell Street, Sligo
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2021 has been allocated €3m, up 20% on 2020. The Historic Structures Fund 2021 has also been allocated €3m, up over 75% on 2020.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2020 (BHIS) is for the repair and conservation of structures that are protected under the Planning and Development Acts. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is designed as a support to owners and custodians in caring for our built heritage and ensuring that it is protected into the future. This Scheme aims to support a significant number of labour-intensive, small-scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment. The fund is administered through the local authorities.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme will be administered from a total national allocation of €3m. Grants of between €2,500 and €15,000 will be awarded, with applicants required to provide a minimum of 50% of total costs.
The Historic Structures Fund 2020 (HSF) is for conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership. The primary focus of the Historic Structures Fund is on conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the benefit of communities and the public. The fund is administered through the local authorities. The Historic Structures Fund will be administered from a total national allocation of €3m.
A new initiative will also see the roll out of a Pilot Stream for Vernacular Structures and Historic Shopfronts.
A summary of available funding is provided below:
| Stream | Available Funding | What will be funded | Maximum Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHIS | Grants between €2,500 and €15,000 | Small-scale, labour intensive conservation projects to assist in the repair and conservation of protected structures. | 50% of eligible costs max. |
| HSF Stream 1 | Grants between €15,000 and €50,000 | Essential repairs and small capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of historic structures to safeguard the structure and keep it in use. | 80% of eligible costs max. |
| HSF Stream 2 | Grants between €50,000 and €200,000. Grants may be phased over two years. Successful applicants should check their Letter of Offer for details of how funding is to be spent over the two years, where applicable. | Larger enhancement or significant refurbishment projects involving historic structures, where a clear benefit to the community and the public has been demonstrated. | 50% of eligible costs. In exceptional circumstances a higher percentage may be sought, subject to a max of 80%. |
| Pilot Stream for Vernacular Structures | Grants between €5,000 and €10,000 | Essential repairs and small capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of vernacular structures to safeguard the structure and keep it in use. | 80% of eligible costs max. |
| Pilot Stream for Historic Shopfronts | Grants between €15,000 and €50,000 | 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. | 80% of eligible costs max. |
Applications Invited
Sligo County Council wishes to invite applications under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2021 and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2021 and the Pilot Stream for Vernacular Structures and Historic Shopfronts, as operated by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Both schemes will be administered by Sligo County Council.
The categories of structures eligible for assistance are as follows:
- Protected Structures
- Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures
- Structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply.
Please note the requirement for an appropriately qualified conservation professional to oversee the works, and for a comprehensive method statement to accompany the application.
Full details of both grant schemes and application forms are available to download at www.sligococo.ie/grants. Applicants should read the guidelines and be familiar with the qualifying criteria and conditions of the relevant scheme.
Applications must be clearly marked Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2021 or Historic Structures Fund 2021 as applicable and addressed to:
Heritage Office,
Sligo County Council,
City Hall,
Quay Street,
Sligo, F91 PP44.
Closing date for receipt of completed applications (in hard copy only) is 4pm Friday 26th February 2021.
Any queries can be directed to: Suzanne Siberry, Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council at Email: conservation@sligococo.ie or Telephone: 071 911 4443.