Farmers across County Clare are being urged to consider renovating farm outbuildings on their lands.

Clare Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy said the Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme ensures that a number of traditional farm buildings, which contribute to the visual landscape and are of historical and architectural value, will be maintained into the future.

The Heritage Council will operate the Scheme for REPS4 farmers, on behalf of the Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

According to Senator Mulcahy: "There are hundreds of outbuildings located on Clare's farms that serve as a cogent reminder of the County's long association with the land. The scheme for REPS 4 farmers, therefore, presents an ideal opportunity to preserve these buildings.

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"The scheme requires that all repaired buildings must be utilised by farmers in their day-to-day work. This should be looked upon positively by farmers who will enjoy real practical benefits out of undertaking repair work on the buildings," he added.

The amount of funding being made available in 2014 is €600,000. Farmers who are participants in the REPS 4 scheme and who are due to receive a REPS payment in respect of 2014 are eligible to apply and the grants will range from a minimum of €4,000 to a maximum of €20,000.

The grants will enable approved applicants to carry out a range of approved conservation works to the exterior of farm outbuildings including the roof, outside surface of walls, windows and doors as well as repair work to historic yard surfaces, walls and gate pillars around the farm.

(CD/JP)