Vacant Properties

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (618, 647, 654)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

618. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the length of time a house must be derelict to qualify for a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19508/22]

View answer

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

647. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if restaurants are included in the new vacant commercial to residential scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20144/22]

View answer

Thomas Pringle

Question:

654. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when applications will be accepted for the grant scheme which was being developed to bring town centre properties and properties above existing shops back into use; if the details have been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20353/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 618, 647 and 654 together.

Housing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.

The suite of measures under the pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock includes the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund which will be delivered by local authorities for the provision of serviced sites for housing, to attract people to build their own homes and to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, enabling people to live in small towns and villages, in a sustainable way.

The approach to the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is currently under consideration, including the scope and appropriate timeframes, and it is expected that a call for proposals will issue to local authorities shortly.