Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2026
199. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports that are available to someone in a private property who has a leaking roof they cannot afford to repair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12934/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department, the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) provides financial support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF), and the qualifying works for both of these schemes can include repairs to roofs.
The BHIS provides funding for repair/conservation works, including to roofs, to the following types of buildings:
• Protected structures
• Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved for inclusion
• Structures in Architectural Conservation Areas
• Vernacular buildings
A further element of this grant scheme is the Historic Thatch Buildings grant. The purpose of this scheme is to protect the heritage value of historic thatched roof buildings. Any historic thatched structure is eligible for this scheme. Grants of between €2,500 and €50,000 are available for the mainstream BHIS. Awards for BHIS 2026 were made in January and the scheme will reopen for applications for the 2027 awards later this year.
Grants of €50,000 up to €200,000 are available under the Historic Structures Fund, which provides capital funding for works, including repairs to roofs, to the following types of qualifying buildings:
• Protected Structures
• Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved for inclusion.
• Structures or works within an Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument
Details of qualifying works can be found on my Department's website and on the website of the local authorities, who remain the first point of contact for both schemes.
