Grants – Waterford City & County Council

Community Monuments Fund (CMF) 2026

Community Monuments Fund 2026

Waterford City and County Council invites applications to the Community Monuments Fund 2026, as operated by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government.

The closing date for applications is 5 pm 30th January 2026

The core aims of the Community Monuments Fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and archaeological sites. Local authorities, private owners, community groups and custodians of monuments are eligible to apply under the following 3 streams;

Stream 1 will offer grants up to €100,000 for 3 projects aimed at essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments.
Stream 2 will offer grants of up to €30,000 for 2 projects development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports and detailed Specification of Works that are aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access.
Stream 3 will offer grants of up to €30,000 for 2 projects for enhancement of access infrastructure, interpretation (including virtual/online) and small scale emergency conservation works at archaeological monuments.

All proposals shall demonstrate some tangible public value benefit. This may include access, physical and virtual, or provision of information to the public in some form.

Application forms and further details are available to download below.

Applicants should read the CMF guidance circular carefully and ensure that method statements and relevant consents are included with the application. Applications should be returned to bguest@waterfordcouncil.ie by no later than 5 pm on January 30th 2026

Application Form Handbook

Historic Structures Fund 2026

The Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Mr. Christopher O’Sullivan, TD, has announced the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2026

The primary focus of the HSF is to assist with the conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the broader benefit of communities and the public .

Grants are from €50,000 up to €200,000 and focus on larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where:

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

Eligible applications will be assessed for selection under the following criteria

Significance of the structure
Efficacy of the grant in achieving the aims of the Historic Structures Fund
Quality of the methodology and technical merit of the works proposed
Contribution of the proposed works to keeping the structure in use, or bringing it back into use
Broader public or community benefit of the project

The Department encourages project promoters to incorporate a traditional skills training element in the project. Please note the requirement for a comprehensive and sound methodology to accompany the application and that in the event of a successful application, an appropriately qualified conservation professional shall oversee the works.

The Conservation Section, Waterford City and County Council will administer the scheme on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Full details of the scheme, including the application forms, Guidance booklet for applicants and qualifying works are available at https://submit.link/4gb

If you have any further queries application please contact planning@waterfordcouncil.ie referencing HSF in the subject line.

Deadline – Friday, January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Community Climate Action Programme

The programme provides financial support for eligible climate action projects led by community groups across County Waterford. 100% capital funding is available for projects and community groups can apply for up to €100,000 in funding.

Projects must demonstrate the delivery of climate action at a local level. Eligible projects would include energy efficiency projects (retrofitting, solar pv etc.), biodiversity enhancement, waste prevention, circular economy activities, nature-based solutions and sustainable transport measures (bike parking, EV charging etc.).

Eligible communities must be a not-for-profit, located in the operational area of Waterford City and County Council and be registered with the PPN, or connected with other collectives such as the Wheel, Tidy Towns and /or a community group with Articles of Association or a Constitution, which hold an AGM, and for which approved minutes are available.

Applications are open from 22^nd October 2025 to 17^th December 2025 (3pm).

Further information: https://waterfordcouncil.ie/communityclimateactionprogramme/

Contact: Community Climate Action Officer – climateaction@waterfordcouncil.ie

Private House Grants

Private House Grants – email any queries regarding an application for House Adaptation, Housing Aid for Older People and Mobility Aid to privatehousegrants@waterfordcouncil.ie A quote of the work requested is not required but one can be provided with the application.

Please read the application form before submission as if there is any missing information this will delay your application. Once the work has been completed you may submit an invoice via the email address or post to Housing Grants, Baileys New Street, Waterford.

Download the form here:

Application Form: Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People 2024. (Adaptation, Housing Aid, Mobility Aid etc.)
LPT Sheet – Sample of what is Requested

Disability Adaptation to Council Housing Stock

In cases where the needs of the tenants require physical adaptations to their dwellings, the tenant may apply to the housing authority to have this work undertaken. This scheme is only available to Council tenants that are compliant with their rent. This scheme does not cover replacement windows, doors, kitchens or re-roofing

Download the Disability Adaptation to Housing Stock form if this applies to you.

For any query please email disabilityadaptationtostock@waterfordcouncil.ie

Well Grant for Private Water Supplies

Grants are available under the Rural Water Programme for the carrying out of improvement works to a private water supply (this means a water supply providing water intended for human consumption and domestic purposes that serves only one house). The relevant Regulations are Housing (Private Water Supply Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 192 of 2020).
The key features of the scheme are:

The grant payable for rehabilitation works is 85% of approved costs subject to a maximum of 3,000 euro.
The grant payable for the provision of a new well is 85% of approved costs subject to a maximum of 5,000 euro, where the housing authority agrees that this is the most appropriate solution.
In recognising the role of the grant in improving water quality, the water quality treatment element (typically filtration and Ultra Violet treatment) qualifies for 100% funding up to a maximum of 1,000 euro. This can be claimed on its own or in addition to either the grant for rehabilitation works or the grant for a new well.
The minimum grant threshold is €750.
Application Form

Lead Piping Replacement Grant

There is a Government grant available that provides 100% of costs up to €5,000 to replace drinking water lead pipes within the boundaries of your property.

Lead Piping Replacement Grant Forms and documents:

claim Form 1A Foirm éilimh 1a FAQs Ceisteanna Coitianta

Customer Leaflet Customer Leaflet (Irish) Terms and Conditions

Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2026

The BHIS provides funding for repair and conservation works to:

Protected Structures – Structures included in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) of each Local Authority area
Proposed Protected Structures – Structures proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved
Structures within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) – Works must enhance the character and appearance of the ACA
Vernacular Structures – Buildings and features conceived and built by ordinary people using traditional ideas and locally available materials such as thatch, earth, wattle, stone, slate, or unsawn timber. Techniques include thatching, mud-walling, wattle-working, masonry, and carpentry.

More information and application form: Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2026

If you wish to apply using the Irish version An Scéim Infheistíochta don Oidhreacht Thógtha (BHIS) 2026, complete the Irish form and send it to Planning@waterfordcouncil.ie with “BHIS/HTB grant” in the subject line.

Contact: Architectural Conservation Officer – Email Planning@waterfordcouncil.ie (include “BHIS funding” in the subject line)
Closing Date: Friday 26 September 2025

Historic Thatch Building Scheme (HTB) 2026

This scheme supports thatched buildings in need of repair and conservation works.

Primary Qualifying Works:

Thatching works to the roof
Necessary associated works (e.g., chimney repairs)

More information and application form: BHIS Historic Thatched Buildings Stream 2026

Contact: Architectural Conservation Officer – Email Planning@waterfordcouncil.ie (include “BHIS funding” in the subject line)

Closing Date: Friday 26 September 2025