Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund 2023
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund will support owners and custodians of protected structures in every local authority area across the country. Together, the schemes will assist hundreds of small-scale, labour-intensive projects as well as larger-scale projects to repair and conserve our historic built environment. These projects will also give significant support to local jobs in conservation and traditional skills.
The funding announced by Minister Noonan includes a total of €4.5 million for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, and €4.5 million for the Historic Structures Fund.
The 2023 Historic Structures Fund will include two streams first introduced in 2021: one for vernacular structures and another for historic shopfronts.
The vernacular stream will provide total funding of €150,000 for conservation repairs and small capital works to eligible vernacular structures – structures built through traditional local methods (see note below) – that are not listed in local authority Records of Protected Structures or otherwise legally protected.
The shopfront stream, which runs in conjunction with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, includes shared funding of €50,000 for the conservation of shopfronts in the Irish language.
The 2023 Built Heritage Investment Scheme will include ring-fenced funding of €500,000 for conservation repairs to eligible historic thatched structures to maximise the availability of financial assistance to such owners, helping them offset other costs.
Applications are now open and will run until 31 January 2023. Details of the schemes and how to apply are available on all local authority websites and the Department’s website.
Both schemes are managed by Laois County Council, and forms should be returned to Laois County Council by the closing date 31st January 2023
House in Ballyroan funded through the BHIS in 2019
Built Heritage Investment Scheme
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is designed to support owners and custodians in caring for our built heritage and ensuring that it is protected into the future. Buildings must be on the Laois Record of Protected Structures. Details of the 2023 scheme are below.
BHIS 2023 Guidance Booklet for Applicants
BHIS 2023 Guidance Application Form
The closing date for applications under both schemes is 31st January 2023.
Historic Structures Fund
The primary focus of the Historic Structures Fund will be on conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the benefit of communities and the public.
Details for the scheme are below. Please note the requirement for an appropriately qualified conservation professional to oversee the works, and for a comprehensive and sound methodology to accompany the application.
Full details are in the Scheme Guidelines below.
The closing date for applications under both schemes is 31st January 2023.
All applications under the Historic Structures fund must be accompanied by a completed form A and a comprehensive method statement prepared by a conservation professional.
For further information please contact:
Forward Planning Section, Laois County Council,
Áras An Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois. Email voreilly@laoiscoco.ie, phone 057-866 4000.