Is there a grant to do up old farm buildings?

Q We have moved into our traditional Irish farm house which we have worked on for many years, and which is now sympathetically restored. There are a number of old, very attractive stone outbuildings on the farm which are structurally sound but have been falling into neglect over many decades – particularly a pig house and a small hay barn. We would now like to start on these, which will involve employing a number of traditional craftspeople, and so on, and acquiring skills. Are there any grants or schemes we should be tapping into?

A Depending on how you intend to use the old buildings there may be funding available from the Heritage Council. The Reps 4 Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme is in place to stop traditional farm buildings being lost through neglect. Grants are for approved conservation works to the exterior of farm outbuildings such as the roof, outside surface of walls, windows and doors. Other structures such as walls, gate pillars and gates are also in the scheme. The grant is for not more than 75 per cent of the cost of the works and vary between €5,000 and €20,000. The smallest project that could be funded would cost €6,700. There are several restrictions, a key one being that the buildings must still be used for agricultural purposes – your pig house does not, for example, have to become a pig house again but if should be used for a purpose associated with agriculture. If your intention is to convert the pig house into, say, a guest cottage, then this scheme doesn’t apply. Also the buildings must pre-date 1960 – it sounds as if yours do. They also “must have architectural or vernacular heritage character, make a contribution to its setting and not be overwhelmed by large-scale modern buildings”. Download the application form from the heritagecouncil.ie but be quick, the closing date for this year’s funding is July 1st. The funds come from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Tiler made a mess of my bathroom

Q I have been badly let down by a tiler who worked in my en suite. I have contacted him several times (letters and phone calls) and, despite promising that he will come back to regrout the walls, has not appeared. If it was a faulty product costing €1,700 I could bring it back but what can I do now? It has to be regrouted immediately as water is getting under the tiles which will cause further problems. I have been advised to sue him but the costs, even for a couple of solicitor’s letters, would be prohibitive.

A You could take him to the Small Claims Court. The fee for making a claim in the Small Claims Court is €15 and the claim cannot exceed €2,000. Starting the process is simple – it involves filling in a form, sending it to the registrar who then sends it to the respondent (your tiler). For a clear guide to the process, go to citizensformation.ie or your local District Court (contact the Courts Service, 15-24 Phoenix Street North, Smithfield, Dublin 7 or courts.ie).

Your questions

Send your queries to Property questions, The Irish Times, 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2 or e-mail propertyquestions@irishtimes.com. This column is a readers’ service and is not intended to replace professional advice.