The Tourism, Culture and the Environment Ministry and the Finance, the Economy and Investment Ministry are advising the public that the deadline for applications for grants under the scheme to promote investment in the restoration, conservation and maintenance of privately-owned residential properties located within Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs) and of Grade 1 and Grade 2 scheduled buildings is being extended up until Friday, 28 September 2012.

The scheme, which was launched in February this year, is the first in a series of financial incentives announced in the government budget for 2012 with the aim of promoting sustainable urban regeneration and reversing the trends of residential vacancy, dilapidation and urban decay.

Under this grant scheme, the private owners of residential Grade 1 and Grade 2 scheduled buildings and all buildings within UCAs may apply for a rebate on the cost of restoration, conservation or maintenance carried out between 1 January and 30 June 2014. The grant is capped at 20 per cent of the restoration costs up to a maximum of €5,000 per beneficiary. This scheme is being made available to a maximum of 1,000 beneficiaries on a first come, first served basis and only one building per applicant is eligible for support under this scheme.

Eligible expenditure that may qualify for this grant includes the cost of work related to the restoration, cleaning and maintenance of the façade, the repair or replacement of doors and apertures, the repair or replacement of traditional wooden/masonry balconies, paint and plaster work, consolidation and restoration of the internal building structure that includes repair or replacement of xorok and timber/steel beams, arches and kilep, and the reconstruction or maintenance of roofs and wells.

Costs of materials, labour, the hire of equipment, professional fees (including architect’s fees, specialist consultancy, project management costs capped at maximum rate of 5 per cent of the total restoration costs), as well as Mepa permit fees and other government charges that are directly related to restoration would be eligible for the grant.

Under the extended deadline, applicants will have until 28 September to apply for this grant in accordance with the process described in the Government Notice and in the relevant guidance for applicants available from the Mepa website. The scheme is being administered jointly by Mepa and the VAT Department. Further information may be requested by calling 2290 1530 or by email to [email protected].