Built Heritage Investment Scheme
€2,500 to €50,000 for most eligible structures. Vernacular (traditional) buildings are capped lower, at €2,500 to €30,000, unless the building is also a protected structure or in a conservation area, in which case it can go up to €50,000.
Last checked July 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
What it is
Repairs to protected structures and homes in conservation areas. Funded by the Department but administered by your local authority, you apply to your council and the council decides the awards. A competitive grant, so not everyone who qualifies gets funding. The 2027 round is open until 30 October 2026 at the latest. Your council can set an earlier date.
Who can get it
- Your structure is one of: a protected structure, a proposed protected structure (must be formally added to the Record of Protected Structures by 31 December 2026 or the grant may be clawed back), a structure in an Architectural Conservation Area, a vernacular (traditional) building, or a historic shopfront
- You can fund at least 20% of the total project cost yourself, the scheme covers at most 80% of the public funding combined
- Works are designed, specified and overseen by a qualified conservation professional (a craft practitioner such as a thatcher or stonemason can fill this role for a straightforward like-for-like repair)
- This is a competitive grant with a limited budget. Meeting the criteria does not guarantee funding, and successful applicants often don't get the full amount they applied for.
- You pay for the works yourself first, the grant is paid after the local authority certifies the work is complete, typically at year-end.
- If you're also eligible for the Historic Structures Fund on the same structure, you have to choose one scheme, you can't claim both.
- If you're also claiming Section 482 tax relief, the Home Improvement Scheme, or the Living City Initiative, you must tell Revenue about any Built Heritage Investment Scheme grant you receive.
- Planning permission and any National Monuments Act or wildlife protection requirements must be sorted before work starts.
- This scheme runs on an annual application window. The 2027 round closes no later than 30 October 2026. Your council can close earlier, so check your council's own date.
How to apply
Applications go through Local authority. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 15 July 2026. Last updated on 21 September 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
How much can I get from the Built Heritage Investment Scheme?
Between €2,500 and €50,000 for most eligible structures. Vernacular (traditional) buildings are capped lower, €2,500 to €30,000, unless the building is also a protected structure or in a conservation area.
Is the Built Heritage Investment Scheme guaranteed if I qualify?
No. It's a competitive grant with a limited budget each year. Meeting the eligibility criteria doesn't guarantee funding, and successful applicants often receive less than they applied for.
Can I claim both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund?
Not on the same structure. If a project is eligible for both, you have to choose one.
Related guides
- Vacant / Derelict Property Grant
- Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan
- Ready to Build sites
- Living City Initiative
- Pyrite Remediation Scheme
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