Applications for funding to conserve Northern Ireland's historic built heritage have opened.

The Repair Stream of the Historic Environment Fund, managed by the Department for Communities (DfC), is focused on supporting scheduled monuments and priority categories of listed buildings such as those that are on the buildings at risk register, thatched buildings, and those with owners on certain qualifying benefits.

All work has to be completed within the current financial year.

Director of Historic Environment Iain Greenway said: "Our historic monuments and buildings are a key resource which, in addition to their heritage interest, are: an important part of our surroundings; contribute to community pride; and help strengthen our economy, right across Northern Ireland, through tourism.

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"Last weekend thousands of people visited historic heritage attractions across Northern Ireland as part of European Heritage Open Days, which demonstrated the great debt we, as a society, have to those who look after and maintain these structures. It is therefore important that we provide support, particularly to those structures and owners most in need.

The closing date for applications is the 10 October.

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan also welcomed the announcement of a £300,000 grant to assist much needed repairs on some of the NI's historic buildings however he insisted that the department must be cognisant of the very tight time frame for the completion of works.

Mr McGuigan said: "There are 152 Thatched buildings listed across the North. My own constituency of North Antrim contains a number of listed buildings key to sustaining our built heritage, most of which have thatched roofs. These buildings not only provide a backdrop to our heritage but are an important part of our tourism trade and potential.

"I have been in contact with the department over recent months about this grant so I am delighted with the announcement today that the Repair aspect is now open and will contain a pot of £300k.

"Successful applicants would have to ensure that any work on thatched roofs would to take place over the winter months. There is the very real problem that given the tight time constraints and weather conditions alongside the shortage of skilled thatchers some of this work would be impossible to complete."

(CD/MH)