Funding for Conservation of Heritage Buildings

Sligo County Council wishes to invite applications under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2024 and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2024 as operated by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 

Both schemes will be administered by Sligo County Council.

Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2024

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme will be administered from a total national allocation of €4.5m. Grants of between €2,500 and €15,000 will be awarded, with applicants required to provide a minimum of 50% of total costs.

A micro grant scheme for works of routine maintenance and minor repairs will also apply under BHIS 2024. The maximum award for such projects will be €2,500.

Full details on the terms and conditions of the scheme are available on the links below:

Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2024

The Historic Structures Fund will be administered from a total national allocation of €4.5m.  There are a number of funding streams with different requirements:

Stream	Available Funding	Max Grant
Stream 1 Smaller capital works	€15,000 - €50,000	Max:  80% of eligible costs
Stream 1 Historic Shopfronts sub-stream	€15,000 - €50,000	Max:  80% of eligible costs
Stream 2 Large scale projects with clear community and public Benefit	€50,000 - €200,000 Can be phased over two years	Max:  50% of eligible costs.  In exceptional circumstances, a higher percentage may be sought, subject to a max of 80%
Projects in Partnership	To be determined on a case by case basis.	Max:  50% of the project costs
Vernacular Structures Stream	€5,000 - €10,000	Max:  80% of eligible costs

 

Full details on the terms and conditions of the scheme are available on the links below:

Eligible Structures for the above grant schemes (BHIS and HSF) include: 

• Protected Structures:  Structures included in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) of each Local Authority area. 
• Proposed Protected Structures:  Structures proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved.  Such structures must be added to the RPS by 31 December 2024. 
• Structures in Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs): where it can be demonstrated that the works will enhance the character and appearance of an ACA. 

Structures within the amenity of a National Monument

where exceptional circumstances are deemed by the Department to apply. 

Applicants should read the guidelines and be familiar with the qualifying criteria and conditions of the relevant scheme.  

All applications under both grant schemes must be accompanied by a comprehensive method statement prepared by a conservation professional.  

Applications must be clearly marked Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2024 or Historic Structures Fund 2024 as applicable and emailed to conservation@sligococo.ie.  Alternatively, hard copy applications can be sent to:  Heritage Office, Sligo County Council, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo, F91 PP44.  

Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 4pm Friday 26th January 2024. 

For further information please contact:  Heritage Office, Sligo County Council on: 

Telephone:  071 911 4446 or email:  conservation@sligococo.ie