The Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2024
Funding for the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) is being made available as part of Project Ireland 2040. Total funding available nationally under the Historic Structures fund in 2024 will be €4 million
1. Stream 1 will offer grants from €15,000 up to €50,000 and is aimed at essential repairs and smaller capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of heritage structures.
2. Stream 1, Historic Shopfronts sub-stream – To incentivise the conservation of historic shopfronts, each Local Authority is invited to submit an additional application under Stream 1 for eligible 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. Local Authorities are also invited to make an additional application for Irish-language shopfronts.
3. Stream 2 will offer a small number of grants from €50,000 up to €200,000 for larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where:
a. A clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or
b. A clear residential benefit has been demonstrated (such projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary)
A grant of over €200,000 may be awarded in exceptional circumstances where a case is made by the applicant in relation to the significance of the project and the works proposed.
4. Vernacular Structures Stream – In the context of A Living Tradition: A Strategy to Enhance the Understanding, Minding and Handing on of Our Built Vernacular Heritage (2021), the stream for vernacular structures is being retained for 2024, with funding of €150,000. The purpose of the stream is to support conservation repairs and small capital works to vernacular structures that are not listed in local authority Records of Protected Structures or otherwise legally protected. Such structures may be located within an Architectural Conservation Area. All local authorities can apply for funding for specific projects of between €5,000 and €10,000.
The scheme will be administered by the Conservation Section, Waterford City and County Council. If you are interested, please download the application form and checklist. There is also a guidance to assist applicants with information in relation to the application process and operation. All forms are also available in Irish.
Completed application forms and photos of the structures to be submitted only by email to Planning@waterfordcouncil.ie by 5pm on 19th of January 2024. Only applications received by this date will be considered. Please ensure that the grant scheme name is in the subject line and note that all forms must be completed in full, in order to be processed. Successful applicants must have the works completed by the 27th of September 2024.
If you have any queries in relation to the schemes or wish to submit the application form by post please contact: Rosemary Ryall, Executive Conservation Officer, Waterford City and County Council. e-mail: rryall@waterfordcouncil.ie
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