The first building restoration projects under the new GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme, have been approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed.

Under the new scheme, the approved buildings must be put back into some form of agricultural use, with the Minister describing the scheme as "small, but very important, which will make a huge contribution to preservation of our rural heritage and the enhancement of the rural landscape."

Nearly 60 projects have been proposed for approval in the first round, with total associated grant-aid exceeding €800,000. A range of projects are being supported, including restoration of traditional barns and byres, stables, walls, gates and gate-pillars.

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The GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme builds upon the success of a similar scheme under REPS4 (2007-2013) which saw over 350 buildings nationwide restored and more than 140 previously unknown roosts of protected species discovered and conserved.

Under the new scheme, grants are available to GLAS participants to carry out approved conservation works to traditional farm buildings and associated structures – historic yard surfaces, landscape features around the farmyard e.g. walls, gate pillars, and gates. The principal objective of this scheme is to ensure that traditional farm buildings and other structures that contribute to the character of the landscape, and which are of significant heritage value, are conserved for agricultural use.

The Scheme is jointly funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and the European Union, and is administered on behalf of the Department by the Heritage Council. The financial allocation to the Scheme is €6m for the lifetime of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme. All applications are assessed individually to identify the best and highest priority projects. The grants available range between €4,000 and €25,000 and can cover up to 75% of the cost of the works.

(MH/JP)