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€1.5m traditional farm buildings scheme launched

The 2024 Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme has been launched with a pot of €1.5m available to fund the conservation and preservation of traditional farm buildings and structures such as historic yard surfaces, gates and gate pillars as part of the working farm.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConologue, was the keynote speaker at the recent Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) conference, Navigating the Evolving Agricultural Machinery Landscape. In his address, he said he recognised the importance of the role that FTMTA members play in contributing to the wider agricultural and food production system, and particularly in enabling the implementation of key policy commitments for the land use and the agriculture sector. Pictured at the event: Karol Duigenan, president of the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) and regional sales manager, Claas UK; Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Michael Farrelly, executive director, FTMTA. Photo: Jeff Harvey.

Many of the supported structures also provide roosting sites for bats and nesting sites for birds. The scheme, launched by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, is run in partnership with the Heritage Council.
Chief executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan commented: “The Heritage Council is very pleased to be administering this innovative scheme that by securing the historic building stock also recognises the role these buildings play as wildlife habitats and as contributors to our rural landscape. We know that many of these buildings can support a great diversity of wildlife, including species of conservation concern and this scheme works with farmers to support, enhance and safeguard the wildlife inhabiting these buildings.
“This grant scheme also actively supports the retention of traditional building skills in Ireland and a particularly satisfying impact uncovered in the evaluation is the increased awareness amongst farmers of their value and their readiness to use them in the future with 96 per cent of farmers surveyed more inclined now to use traditional craftworkers if they needed special works done. This is an impact for the sector with real longevity.”

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