The 2021 GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme is now open for applications, with a maximum grant of up to €25,000 available.

The scheme funds the conservation and preservation of traditional farm buildings and other structures of significant heritage value which are conserved for agriculture use.

The grants available range between €4,000 and €25,000, with up to 75% of the cost of a project eligible for funding up to the maximum available grant of €25,000.

Closing date and eligibility

Funding applications must be submitted via the Heritage Council’s online grants system.

The closing date for receipt of online applications is Monday 5 April 2021 at 5pm. The terms and conditions and the online application form are available here.

Eligible farmers are chosen on a competitive basis and between 70 and 80 projects are expected to be supported.

The Heritage Council will host a short information webinar for anyone interested in applying for scheme on 11 March at 12 noon. Applicants should register in advance by emailing ameenan@heritagecouncil.ie

Funding

The Heritage Council manages the scheme on behalf of the Department, and it is open to applicants who participate in the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS).

The scheme is funded by the Department of Agriculture under the Rural Development Programme.

Minister McConalogue said that €1.25m has been secured in the budget for the scheme “which continues to make a great contribution to the conservation of our rural heritage and the enhancement of the rural landscape”.

The Minister added: “These are beautiful structures, made of local materials by local craftspeople, and I think we are all learning to appreciate the importance of this part of our heritage.”

The Minister said the benefits of the scheme go beyond retaining the structures for future generations because it can also have significant biodiversity benefits.

“Even the smallest building can provide roosting sites for bats and nesting sites for birds. Many can support a great diversity of wildlife, including species of conservation concern and this scheme works with farmers to support, enhance and safeguard the wildlife inhabiting these buildings,” he said.

Building skills

Virginia Teehan, Heritage Council CEO, said: “The continued existence of this rural built landscape is dependent on there being enough people with traditional building skills to maintain, conserve and repair this finite resource.

“These buildings are of immense social and environmental value as well as serving as a very useful resource on farms. With proper care and maintenance almost all this building stock will continue to endure and be resilient for the farm enterprise.

“However, for these buildings to survive they need the skills that went into making them to remain living traditions. This funding invests in those craftspeople skilled in traditional repair techniques as well as the heritage expertise needed and will be particularly welcome by those sectors who have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

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