Waterford bottom of list for Farm Building Heritage funding

Waterford received one of the lowest allocations in the country under the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme last year, according to figures released in a parliamentary response to a Dáil question from Waterford TD Conor D. McGuinness, working with Lismore LEA Cllr. Donnchadh Mulcahy.

The figures showed that Waterford was just approved just over €164,000, compared to other counties in the south east: €1.57m for Cork; €680,000 for Tipperary; €499,000 for Kilkenny; and €419,000 for Wexford.

Deputy McGuinness, who is Sinn Féin’s Rural Affairs Spokesperson, hit out at the government’s failure to support heritage-based rural development in the county and is encouraging Waterford farmers to prepare strong applications for the next round of the scheme due to open in early 2026.

Deputy McGuinness said the figures reveal “a disgraceful gap that shows how Waterford is consistently overlooked by this government”.

“This scheme is meant to support the conservation of traditional farm buildings and related structures — barns, byres, stables, stone walls and old yards — buildings that have real heritage value and still play a role in sustainable farming,” he said.

“We have those buildings in Waterford. We have farmers ready to do the work. What we don’t have is a government willing to back them.”

Cllr. Donnchadh Mulcahy, added: “This is a great scheme when it’s fairly delivered”.

“Waterford has a proud rural heritage and countless traditional buildings that could benefit. These are not just relics — they are part of working farms and, with the right support, can be conserved for practical use for generations to come. We’re encouraging all eligible farmers and landowners to get ready to apply when the scheme reopens,” said Cllr. Mulcahy.

“The Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme provides funding to conserve and repair traditional farm buildings and related structures of significant heritage value. The focus is on keeping these buildings in active agricultural use, improving farm sustainability, protecting wildlife habitats, and supporting environmental outcomes,” he added.

The scheme is open to farmers participating in the ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme), EIP (European Innovation Partnership) projects, or the Organic Farming Scheme. Even those awaiting final approval under ACRES may be eligible to apply.

Although the 2025 round of applications is now closed, Sinn Féin is encouraging local farmers to plan ahead and be ready for the next window in early 2026.