Dublin Corporation has turned Santa Claus - five months early. Although June 30 was the closing date for applications under the National Conservation Grants Scheme, the Corporation still has money in the kitty, having been allocated almost £1 million for the scheme. It has extended the deadline for applications . . . until the money has been used up.

The scheme - which also operates in other local authority areas - covers the conservation of listed buildings as identified in the Dublin City Development Plan. The grants were introduced in May and the original deadline was considered too tight, says the Corpo's Conservation Officer, Susan Roundtree.

It's not a give-away mind you. The standard amount available is 50 per cent of the approved cost up to a maximum of £10,000. In exceptional circumstances, a grant of £20,000 can be sought.

Among works qualifying under the schemes are those necessary to secure the stability of a structure, repairing the roof, windows or doors and works to conserve internal structures. The emphasis is on conservation rather than alteration and work cannot begin until an official inspection has been carried out - and detailed estimates must be provided with the application form. Applicants need to have their tax affairs in order, as will their builder before they will be considered for a grant.