Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2022
278. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to widen the criteria (details supplied) for qualification to the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme to include such properties in rural areas which are outside towns and villages and to bring them back to the housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56379/22]
View answer279. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects that the vacant property refurbishment grant will be extended to houses outside of settlements of 400 persons, to which the scheme was originally confined; the properties that will be eligible under the expanded scheme; the expected level of increase in applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56413/22]
View answer289. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the croí cónaithe scheme has yet been extended to allow residents of Dublin city to apply; if not, the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56632/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 278, 279 and 289 together.
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.
Schemes under the Fund, which are delivered by local authorities, provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties and by providing serviced sites in towns and villages to people in order to build their own homes.
In July, I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages but I am pleased to say that as of the 15 November, the expanded grant also includes eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas (in addition to those in towns and villages, which have been eligible since July).
A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/969fb-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-expanded-to-cities-and-remote-rural-areas/
