COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 09, 2026

QUESTION NO.13

QUESTION: Councillor H. Farrell

To request that the Chief Executive provide an overview of the principal developments and investments in the areas of heritage, such as built, natural and cultural heritage, proposed for 2026.

REPLY:

The Council’s Heritage Programme and adopted Biodiversity Action Plan identify the key areas of work to be progressed in 2026, with an associated spend of €250,700. This budget is increased to expand the programme in tandem with increasing grant funding allocations from the Heritage Council and the National Parks & Wildlife Services (NPWS). A new County Heritage Plan will be brought to Council in 2026.

€241,500 is allocated for architectural conservation works, including provision of €100,000 to fully fund and/or support conservation elements of projects in the Council’s Capital Programme. Grant funding to support local conservation projects, via the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund, is also provided. 

The work programmes within this budget area comprises of two main strands – Heritage and Biodiversity managed by the Heritage Officer and Architectural Conservation managed by the Architectural Conservation Officer. The following provides an overview of work and planned investments within both strands covering natural cultural and built heritage within the County.

Heritage and Biodiversity:

The Heritage and Biodiversity work programme is influenced by the success of grant applications under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund and from the Heritage Council. These fund applications are under consideration and being prepared. 

The Heritage Council, through grants, supports the implementation of Local Authority County Heritage Plans through annual applications for projects.  This grant programme for 2026 is currently open and a number of project applications are under development.  The submission deadline is 18th February, with expected notification of grant awards by late March.  A more comprehensive report can be made on the confirmation of successful projects at that time.

The Local Biodiversity Action Fund is administered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and it aims to financially support Local Authorities in the implementation of their County Biodiversity Action Plans. The LBAF grant programme for 2026 is currently open and a number of project applications are under development.  The submission deadline is the 17th February, with expected notification of grant awards by late March/early April.  A more comprehensive report can be made on the confirmation of successful projects.

In addition to the above, the Revenue Budget supports a range of projects every year including Biodiversity Week and Heritage Week; support for relevant internal and externally produced heritage-related publications; contributions to inter-departmental and inter-county heritage projects and support to local community heritage initiatives. A survey for Light-Bellied Brent Geese and heritage feasibility studies on the Millponds in Clondalkin, St. Kevin’s Church in Kilnamanagh and the Dodder Mills will also be part of the work programme.

Architectural Conservation:

South Dublin County Council recommended 7 projects to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2026. On the 23rd of January the Department notified the Council that all 7 projects had been approved for funding totalling €121,011 across the 7 projects. 

The Historic Structures Fund offers grants from €50,000 up to €200,000, and focuses on larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving structures, where: a clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or a clear residential benefit has been demonstrated. The closing date for applications was the 16th of January 2026. 2 applications are pending formal approval from the Department. South Dublin County Councils Open House Dublin (OHD) event has also been allocated funding of €15,000 within the Conservation Budget.

Further to the above, the Architectural Conservation Officer imputs to assessment of relevant planning applications, inputs to the Captial Programme projects such as Lucan House, Rathfarnham Castle, 12th Lock Masterplan, Clondalkin Library, Kiltalown house and inputs on the Community Climate Action Grant Applications.