New grant scheme to conserve old sheds

A NEW scheme to grant aid conservation works on traditional farm buildings has been announced by Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, with a maximum grant of €25,000 available.

Any farmer in the GLAS environmental scheme with old farm buildings can apply for inclusion in the scheme – the deadline for the first tranche of applications is May 6 next.

According to Minister Coveney, said ‘this new element to the GLAS scheme’ would help ensure that small traditional farm buildings would be restored and conserved.

He said that such old farm buildings had a significant cultural and heritage value – this scheme would help to preserve such structures across the country.

The new GLAS Traditional Farm Building Scheme will be administered by the Heritage Council with a minimum grant of €4,000 being made available. Grant allocations cannot exceed 75% of the cost of the work.

Although a May 6 deadline applies for the first batch of applications, further applications can be submitted at regular intervals throughout the programme period that runs until December 2020, Minister Coveney confirmed.

He also said that the new scheme would build upon the success of the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme which operated under REPS 4 from 2007 to 2013, and which ensured that more than 350 traditional farm buildings throughout Ireland were conserved.

“These building have been an integral part of our agricultural heritage for generations, and  their contribution to the character and beauty of the Irish landscape cannot be overstated.

“This is not about creating museum pieces. These buildings can and should play an ongoing role in the economic life of Irish farms, as well as helping to enhance the landscape, the environment and local biodiversity,” said Minister Coveney.

Grants will be made available to GLAS participants to carry out approved conservation works to traditional farm buildings, including roofs, outside surface of walls, windows and doors.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.