Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, on Wednesday 16th November 2022, launched the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund for 2023.
Built Heritage Investment Scheme
Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund for 2023
Dolly’s Cottage benefitted under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme in 2022
With €9 million in funding across both schemes – an increase of €1 million from 2022 – they represent a continued and significant boost to the preservation of Ireland’s built heritage. It is expected the schemes will support hundreds of projects while also creating over 44,000 days of employment.
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Michael Clarke, welcomed the announcement saying
“In addition to supporting owners of historic buildings in looking after their properties, this funding will also provide a welcome boost to local construction and heritage trades keeping traditional building skills alive and creating employment for skilled conservation workers. Sligo County Council is delighted to be able to participate in the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund, providing a link between the Department and owners of the ground and getting this funding out to Sligo Communities”.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund support the owners and custodians of protected structures and those in Architectural Conservation Areas to meet their obligations to care for their properties.
Administered in conjunction with Local Authority Architectural Conservation Officers, Heritage Officers and Planning and Administrative staff, both schemes will assist hundreds of small-scale, labour-intensive projects as well as larger-scale projects to repair and conserve our historic built environment. The projects will also give significant support to local jobs in conservation, traditional skills and construction, providing a vital boost to local economies during challenging times. In addition, these schemes can unlock the potential to utilise heritage building stock and return it to residential use – an outcome which will be key to Housing for All, the Government’s far-reaching plan to create a sustainable housing system into the future.
Following on from the successful introduction of two pilot streams for vernacular structures and historic shopfronts in 2021, both streams have again been incorporated into Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2023.
All grant applications must be accompanied by a comprehensive method statement prepared by a conservation professional. The closing date for applications under both grant schemes is 4pm Tuesday 31st January 2023.
Full details and application forms for the 2023 grant schemes are available at www.sligococo.ie/grants.
For further information or queries, please contact: Heritage Office, Sligo County Council on: Tel 071-9114482 / 071-9114440 or by email: conservation@sligococo.ie
Quigleys, Collooney, Co. Sligo benefitted under the Historic Structures Fund -Historic Shopfronts Stream in 2022.