€1.5m grant scheme for traditional farm buildings opens
Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Martin Heydon, has announced the opening of the 2025 Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme.
The scheme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), and run in partnership with the Heritage Council.
It encourages investment by farmers in the conservation of traditional farm buildings and structures of significant heritage value that contribute to our rural landscape.
These may include historic yard surfaces, buildings, gates and gate pillars that form part of the working farm.
Many of the supported structures also provide roosting sites for bats and nesting sites for birds.
Minister Heydon said: “I am announcing a budget of €1.5 million for the 2025 Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme.
"This scheme received a prestigious Europa Nostra heritage award in 2024, and I am happy to reaffirm this government’s commitment to supporting conservation efforts.
"Today’s announcement ensures that farmers can continue to renovate and repurpose traditional farm buildings, thereby preserving our history for future generations.”
The opening date for applications is tomorrow, Thursday January 30, and the scheme will close on Monday, March 10, 2025.
A grant award will cover up to 75% of the cost of the works, with a maximum available grant of €30,000.
Chief executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, commented: "The Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme is a beacon of excellence in heritage conservation, having transformed over 1,000 vulnerable farm buildings and farm structures since 2008 into functional assets that remain at the heart of farm life.
"Winning the Grand Prix at the Europa Nostra Awards last year highlights the unique value of this scheme, which not only safeguards Ireland’s built heritage but also empowers farmers with the skills to carry out repairs that protect biodiversity, preserve protected species, and contribute to the sustainability of farming practices for future generations.”
The scheme is funded under the transitional arrangements of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme - The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development in Europe (N+3).
Applications must be made online on the Heritage Council website and an information webinar will be held at 12:00p.m on Thursday, February 6.
The DAFM confirmed that participants in the following department schemes are eligible to apply for this grant scheme:
- Active agri-environment scheme participants including Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES). Note: Active ACRES and REAP (Results Based Environment Agri Pilot Project) participants only;
- Participants in EIP Calls 1, 2 and 3, Hen Harrier and Pearl Mussel projects and The Burren Project who were an active participant as of December 31, 2022 or had completed the full term of the contract for the relevant EIP or have completed a five-year project as appropriate;
- Approved participants of the Organic Farming Scheme.
The overall evaluation approach is built on four main pillars:
- Research: This included a literature review, development of a logical framework, review of programme mechanics, analysis of project commitments, and identification of international comparators;
- Consultation: This entailed interviews with commissioning stakeholders, farm surveys and three expert focus groups;
- Analysis: In-depth examination of the consultations to identify common themes and to help quantify the impact of the TFB scheme;
- Evaluation: This included several elements including a ‘Systems Review and Process Analysis’, an ‘Impact Evaluation’ and an assessment of the ‘Value-for-Money’ of the scheme. An integrated Capital Approach was also employed, looking at the return in terms of Human, Intellectual, Financial, Social, Natural, and Manufactured capital.
