Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
396. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce targeted supports for practising thatchers, including grant schemes or heritage-craft stipends, to ensure the continued maintenance of Ireland’s thatched buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36467/26]
View answerThere are various schemes within my Department that provide financial support to owners of thatched structures which, in practice, help to sustain the market demand for thatching services. A dedicated Thatching Grant is available for thatched buildings in use as housing. Applicants can avail of up to €3,810 or two thirds of the approved cost (whichever is less) towards necessary roof repair or renewal. A higher grant (up to €5,714) may be payable for houses on specified islands. For owners of qualifying thatch properties who are also Medical Card holders the maximum grant available is €6,350, or up to 80% of the approved cost (€8,252 for Islands).
Further support is available for historic thatched buildings through the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS), principally under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS). This scheme is administered by the local authorities and funded by my Department. Since 2023, it has included a dedicated funding stream for historic thatched buildings which offers grants of up to €20,000 for thatching or other conservation work. Owners of historic thatched buildings may also apply for funding from the main stream of the BHIS.
Important steps have been taken to increase the supply of skilled thatchers. In 2025, eleven thatchers finished an introductory forty-two week course offered by Kilkenny-Carlow Education and Training Board in conjunction with the Heritage Council. Furthermore, over the last 3 years NBHS has supported the successful transmission of skills to a new generation of thatchers by supporting the construction of training rigs and provision of thatching courses at the Donegal Thatching School. NBHS also supported Donegal County Council with the placement of an rope thatch apprentice in Donegal in 2025.
With regard to specific stipends, my Department has no plans to introduce such stipends at this time. However, opportunities for stipends or bursaries may be available via schemes administered by other Departments or bodies. One such example would be the All Ireland Heritage Skills programme, a 12-month course collaboratively organised and delivered by several organisations including the Heritage Council.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Heritage Council is [oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie]
