COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 08, 2020

QUESTION NO.10

QUESTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

Were there any applications for either the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) or the Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) which had  31st January 2020 as deadline for application?

REPLY:

Built Heritage Investment Scheme (2020)

Owners of Protected Structures or buildings within Architectural Conservation Areas were invited to apply for grant funding for conservation works before the 31st January 2020. Under the BHIS 2020 we received a large number of queries and a total of 6 applications were received by the closing date.  Applications were assessed by the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer and all 6 applications were deemed as qualifying - See List below

Under BHIS 2020, SDCCs allocation is €60,000 and the total of provisional approval allocated, to the applicants below amounts to €60,000 which allows full allocation spend under the scheme for the provision of 50% of the total estimated cost of the works to some of the applicants, with 2 of these receiving the max of €15,000.

List of applications submitted for provisional approval by the Department (DCHG)               

  1. Knocklyon House (Rutland Centre), Templeogue                                      
  2. Lock Keepers House, 12TH Lock, Lucan                                                     
  3. Silveracre House, Rathfarnham                                                            
  4. Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saggart                
  5. Whitechurch Library, Ballyboden (Council owned)                               
  6. The Old Glebe, Newcastle      

Applications were submitted to the DCHG for formal provisional approval on the 14th February 2020 and a decision by way of formal announcement by the Minister is pending.

Historic Structures Fund (2020)

Historic Structures Fund runs in tandem with the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, but the scheme differs in that the amount of funding is provided under 2 streams (see details below) and applications have to be initially assessed and evaluated by the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer for selection for submission to the DCHG for further formal assessment by a panel of conservation specialists. 

The primary focus is on the restoration and conservation works to structures and buildings for the benefit of communities and the public.  3 applications were submitted, and the following applications have been selected based on the scope of works and applicants are applying under Stream 2 due to the overall cost of works;

Rathfarnham Church of Ireland Parish Church, Main St, Rathfarnham – Repair and conservation of the church organ which is a unique example and integral to the church.

Saggart Community Centre (Former St. Marys National School), Saggart – Repair and conservation works to include energy efficiency upgrading of which form part of the overall adaptive reuse of the building for a new community centre.

Both Architectural Conservation Grant Schemes are funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and are administered and managed by the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer, LUPT Department.