Clare County Council is inviting applications under two conservation grants schemes announced by Government this week.
€50,000 has been allocated to the Local Authority under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2017 which is aimed at the repair and conservation of protected structures and generating employment in the local construction sector.
Eligible structures include those listed in Clare County Council’s Record of Protected Structures (RPS), and those within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs). Funding awards made under the Scheme will range from a minimum of €2,500 to a maximum of €10,000 per application. Successful applicants will be required to fully match the funding awarded.
Meanwhile, €824,000 is being distributed nationally under the 2017 Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) which supports conservation works on a number of protected buildings in private and civic ownership. The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs says it will consider no more than two applications from any Local Authority, only one of which may be a publicly-owned building. A third application may be made if it relates to an Irish Historic House in private ownership.
Funding available will range from €15,000 to a maximum grant of €30,000 while between €5,000 and €10,000 may be available for a third project submitted by Clare County Council. The Department says the total value of funding available for each individual project shall not exceed 80% of the total project cost.
Structures in County Clare in relation to both funding schemes must submit their applications before the closing date which is 4pm on Tuesday 28th February 2017.
Further information, including application forms and a circular outlining the details of the scheme, is available on www.clarecoco.ie. Alternatively, contact Risteárd Ua Cróinín, Architectural Conservation Officer, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, on 065-6846307 / ruacroinin@clarecoco.ie.