Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2023
88. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 8 February 2023, if he will provide a breakdown of the reason 102 applications that have been rejected on the grounds on which they have been rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7576/23]
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.
In July 2022, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched 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, which was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages, was expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from 15 November 2022.
Feedback on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Scheme has been very positive and my Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis. This data includes numbers of applications received by local authority, applications approved and rejected and application type. Data on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/.
Of the 102 applications reported to my Department as rejected up to 31 December 2022, I understand from local authorities that over half were made to the local authorities before the expansion of the grant to cities and rural areas and therefore did not meet location requirements. All local authorities were instructed by my Department to contact applicants who had been unsuccessful due to location requirements so that they could reapply for the grant following its expansion. I understand that the remainder were rejected as they failed to meet the criteria for the scheme. The scheme is being kept under on-going review with a full review to take place by mid 2024.
