Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
276. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the croí cónaithe vacant property refurbishment grant; the breakdown by county of the grant allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59180/22]
View answerPathway 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). Further details are available on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/969fb-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-expanded-to-cities-and-remote-rural-areas/.
When the Fund was launched, I committed to ongoing reviews of the schemes under it. Feedback on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Scheme has been very positive, with 419 applications reported by mid-November. In order for applications to be assessed and a decision made, specified supporting documentation must be submitted with the application and a site visit carried out by the local authority to asses the works being applied for. In some cases this may involve the local authority reverting to the applicant for additional information. Drawdown occurs at the end of the works. It is intended that in future, data on the scheme will be published on the Department's website on a quarterly basis.
The operation of schemes under the fund is delegated to and managed by local authorities. The funding for 2022 is not currently being allocated on a local authority basis and it is not anticipated that there will be a constraint on allocations. Expenditure and associated allocations will be kept under review for 2023, as the schemes roll-out.
The fund is targeted to deliver some 2,000 homes by 2025 and data is being gathered on the operation of the initiative. While interim reviews will be ongoing, a comprehensive review and evaluation of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund will be undertaken no later than mid-2024.
