Applications are now open for the Conservation Advice Scheme for Traditional Houses, which provides a grant of up to €5,000 for advice on traditional homes such as farm houses.
The purpose of the scheme is to help owners of traditional houses to obtain conservation advice by funding up to 67% (to a max of €5,000) of the cost of a specialist report.
Several types of buildings can benefit from this scheme, including protected structures and traditional homes in architectural conservation areas, as well as traditional farmhouses with no statutory protection.
Given their age and methods of construction, ‘traditional’ properties often require specialist advice or intervention when undertaking conservation, energy upgrades or fire safety alterations, the Department of Housing said.
Having previously been limited to vacant traditional homes, several elements of the scheme have now been revised in order to widen eligibility and uptake:
The scheme is now available to owners of buildings that they already occupy and is no longer limited to vacant homes.Funding may now be granted for fire safety reports in cases where traditional buildings are to be converted into multi-occupancy dwellings ‘above the shop’.People availing of the SEAI’s Traditional Homes Pilot may now apply for funding to help cover the cost of a pre-works risks assessment, aimed at improving energy efficiency while maintaining historical integrity.Expansion
Minister for Housing James Browne said: “We are expanding this scheme so that more owners of older and traditional buildings can avail of expert advice in the conservation of their home.
"A lot of these homes could really benefit from direct intervention from skilled, experienced tradespeople and we want people to be able to just go ahead with the work that’s needed and where this fund can assist, we want it getting out to people quickly.
“This grant is now open to owners who currently live in their homes, and it will also work alongside the SEAI’s Traditional Homes Pilot for energy upgrades.
“This is another support that, along with the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, can help people to bring older properties back into use as comfortable homes, while respecting their heritage and historic features,” he said.
Minister for Heritage Christopher O’Sullivan said the scheme works because it helps to preserve the built heritage that gives our towns, villages and rural townlands their unique character, while providing practical support to occupiers to bring these properties back into use.
Applications must be made by 5pm on 8 May 2026. The application form and guidance documents are available to view and download on the Department’s website.
Applications are now open for the Conservation Advice Scheme for Traditional Houses, which provides a grant of up to €5,000 for advice on traditional homes such as farm houses.
The purpose of the scheme is to help owners of traditional houses to obtain conservation advice by funding up to 67% (to a max of €5,000) of the cost of a specialist report.
Several types of buildings can benefit from this scheme, including protected structures and traditional homes in architectural conservation areas, as well as traditional farmhouses with no statutory protection.
Given their age and methods of construction, ‘traditional’ properties often require specialist advice or intervention when undertaking conservation, energy upgrades or fire safety alterations, the Department of Housing said.
Having previously been limited to vacant traditional homes, several elements of the scheme have now been revised in order to widen eligibility and uptake:
The scheme is now available to owners of buildings that they already occupy and is no longer limited to vacant homes.Funding may now be granted for fire safety reports in cases where traditional buildings are to be converted into multi-occupancy dwellings ‘above the shop’.People availing of the SEAI’s Traditional Homes Pilot may now apply for funding to help cover the cost of a pre-works risks assessment, aimed at improving energy efficiency while maintaining historical integrity.Expansion
Minister for Housing James Browne said: “We are expanding this scheme so that more owners of older and traditional buildings can avail of expert advice in the conservation of their home.
"A lot of these homes could really benefit from direct intervention from skilled, experienced tradespeople and we want people to be able to just go ahead with the work that’s needed and where this fund can assist, we want it getting out to people quickly.
“This grant is now open to owners who currently live in their homes, and it will also work alongside the SEAI’s Traditional Homes Pilot for energy upgrades.
“This is another support that, along with the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, can help people to bring older properties back into use as comfortable homes, while respecting their heritage and historic features,” he said.
Minister for Heritage Christopher O’Sullivan said the scheme works because it helps to preserve the built heritage that gives our towns, villages and rural townlands their unique character, while providing practical support to occupiers to bring these properties back into use.
Applications must be made by 5pm on 8 May 2026. The application form and guidance documents are available to view and download on the Department’s website.
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