AQW 49914/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any financial support available to enable repairs to historic places of worship.
Asked by Andrew McMurray MLA on 29 June 2026
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 29 June 2026
- Answer due by
- 16 July 2026
- Answered
- 8 July 20269 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Historic Places of Worship may be eligible for support through the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund (NICIF).
The Fund is currently closed to applications, but I have asked officials to develop a Business Case for a new longer term programme and, subject to necessary approvals being secured, I hope to make a further announcement in due course.
Other financial assistance that exists for repairs to churches in Northern Ireland is via National Churches Trust (NCT). At present NCT offers:
Large grants for urgent structural repair projects costing over £80,000;
Medium grants to support urgent repair and maintenance costing up to £80,000, as well as project development work.
In previous years, my department has financially supported listed historic churches through NCT grant schemes; however, decisions regarding this financial support this year are dependent on confirmation of Executive agreed Departmental budgets.