Conservation Advice Pilot Programme

The Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage is running a pilot scheme to provide grants for expert conservation advice on protected structures in private ownership.

The scheme will provide grants of €3,000 (ex. VAT) to cover the cost of having a conservation-accredited architect visit the property, conduct a survey, and compile tailored conservation advice for the property owner. The report will outline maintenance guidelines for the building, and suggest repairs and improvements which would enhance the building’s character, integrity, and amenity.

The aim of the scheme is to help owners of protected structures to understand the value and potential of the architectural heritage of their buildings, and to prompt them to consider investments which could enhance that value, whether funded privately or through conservation grants. All applicants must be willing to complete two short questionnaires to assist with the evaluation of the scheme.

Applicants must complete this form and submit it to builtheritage@housing.gov.ie by Friday, September 30th using the subject line Conservation Advice Pilot Scheme. Alternatively, applicants may submit their form by post to Conservation Advice Pilot Scheme, Built Heritage Policy Unit, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, 1.06 Custom House, D01 W6X0 by the same date. Successful applicants will be selected by lottery and notified using the contact details provided in the application form.

Successful applicants will be provided by the Department with a list of conservation-accredited architects participating in the scheme. The applicant must then select an architect from the list and arrange a site visit to be carried out as soon as possible so that the architect can complete and submit their report by the deadline of November 12th.

Following the site visit the architect will compile a report using a Conservation Advice Template. The completed report will be provided to both the building owner and the Department. The Department will use the reports only for the purpose of approving the grant payment, in line with the Data Privacy Statement attached.

The Department will make grant payments directly to the architect on receipt and approval of the required Conservation Advice and invoice. Building owners are not asked to make any upfront payments or provide matched funding.