Skip to content

Grants

Current Grant Applications for Waterford City & County

Community Recognition Fund 2024
Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Grant
Urban Façade Improvement Scheme 2023
Well Grant for Private Water Supplies
Lead Piping Replacement Grant
Economic Incentive Scheme for Vacant Properties in Urban Areas 2023-2024

Community Recognition Fund 2024

This important new programme builds on the 2023 Community Recognition Fund and is designed to enhance community buildings and services for the benefit of everyone. This is in acknowledgment of the efforts made by communities nationwide to accommodate large numbers of newcomers from Ukraine and elsewhere.

The programme’s goals and scale are distinct from other government funding initiatives aimed at addressing the public service demands brought about by these new arrivals.

Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Grant

As part of Budget 2024, the Government signed off on a package of €257m for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses. Waterford City and County Council, funded through Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), will manage the rollout of the grant to qualifying businesses.

Eligible businesses will receive a once-off grant payment. The amount of the grant payable to eligible businesses is based on the value of the Commercial Rates bill the business received in 2023. However, it is not a Commercial Rates waiver and businesses should continue to pay their Commercial Rates bill as normal.

If you have queries regarding your Commercial Rates account including outstanding balances, contact Waterford City and County Council at rates@waterfordcouncil.ie. Our team are happy to discuss any balances outstanding on your rates and what steps can be taken to ensure compliance with the scheme.

The grant is based on the value of the Commercial Rates bill received by an eligible business in 2023.

  • For qualifying businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rate bill of <€10,000, the ICOB grant will be paid at a rate of 50% of the business’s Commercial Rate bill for 2023.
  • For qualifying businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rate bill of between €10,000 and €30,000, the ICOB grant will be €5,000.
  • Businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rates bill greater than €30,000 are not eligible to receive an ICOB grant.

The following are the main qualifying criteria:

  • Your business must be a commercially trading business currently operating from a property that is commercially rateable.
  • Your business must have been trading on 1st February 2024 and you must intend to continue trading for at least three months from the date you verify your information.
  • You must provide confirmation of your bank details.
  • Your business must be rates compliant. Businesses in performing payment plans may be deemed to be compliant.
  • Your business must be tax compliant and must possess a valid Tax Registration Number (TRN).

Please note that Waterford City and County Council reserves the right to claw back any grant payment which is later found to be incorrect. This includes any circumstances such as error by the recipient business or the local authority making the payment, or where a business makes a false declaration of eligibility.

An online system is being developed to manage the submission of essential information. Waterford City and County Council will write shortly to businesses with further details, including how to register and how to submit information online. The system is expected to be available in mid-March 2024.

The closing date for businesses to confirm eligibility and to upload verification details will be 1st May 2024.

Further correspondence and guidance will be issued to commercially rateable businesses in the next few weeks. In addition, an FAQ will be available online when the grant scheme opens. You should refer to this guidance and FAQ prior to making your submission.

Urban Façade Improvement Scheme 2023

A Waterford City and County Council incentive to improve the facades of central urban building.

Waterford City & County Council is extending a support to assist in the improvement of visible facades (upper and lower floors) of buildings in high notable areas of Waterford City, Tramore Town Centre and Dungarvan Town Centre.

This scheme allows for up to 50% of the cost of improvement works (excl. VAT) to the exterior presentation of a building, including upper floors, up to €2,000 (amount decided upon approval). For more information please see full Terms and Conditions.


How it works?

  1. Fill out the application form, submit two quotes for the estimated costs, a description of the planned works and pictures of the property.
  2. If your application is approved you will be notified the amount you have been approved for and a deadline of 6 months to complete the works.
  3. Return the Supplier Set Up Form by post. This form is our way of paying out to you once the works are completed. A hard copy must be sent. You will be sent this when approved.
  4. Once the works are complete, submit your invoices and a picture of the completed works. You will be allowed 50% of the costs of works (excl. VAT) up to the amount you were allocated when approved.

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
  • Terms & Conditions are available here.

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

Economic Incentive Scheme for Vacant Properties in Urban Areas 2023-2024

Waterford City & County Council is offering incentives over a three year period to attract new retail and other businesses within the core retail area of the City Centre, towns and village centre of Waterford in order to bring vibrancy and vitality to the city and town centres.

It is intended to ensure that any incoming retail or service use will respect and enhance the multifaceted character of the area and will allow and encourage a diversity of uses to increase its overall attractiveness for shopping, leisure and business purposes.

There will be a strong presumption in favour of grant-aid for higher order comparison retail outlets including fashion outlets – both multiple and independent stores, ‘lifestyle stores’, flagship stores, niche and specialist retailers such as home furnishings, beauty products, jewellery and bookshops.

Level of Support available under the Economic Incentive Scheme

Level of Support available under the Economic Incentive Scheme

*Rates Relief capped at €5,000 per annum

For more details on the scheme, please read the scheme guidelines or contact one of the Economic Development Team.

Apply here

Contacts

We made this!