Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
407. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the revised guidelines and application forms for the croí cónaithe scheme will be released following recent announcements to update the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22681/23]
View answer433. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if flexibility will be granted on the 24-month vacancy criteria for the refurbishing vacant home grant scheme for an application by a person (details supplied) with Dublin City Council, given that this person will be living in the home as their principal primary residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23169/23]
View answer435. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person who has a pending vacant property refurbishment grant application as their principal residence submitted to their local authority can transfer to the rental option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23183/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 407, 433 and 435 together.
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins the 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.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is being further expanded from 1 May to build on the success of the scheme to date and increase the support being provided to bring vacant and derelict properties brought back into use. Details of the expansion are as follows:
i. The inclusion of one property which will be made available for rent, by the owner, in addition to one grant for a property which will be a principal private residence of the applicant i.e. a maximum of two applications for a grant will be available, with a maximum of one of these for a rental property;
ii. Changing the eligibility date, which is currently 1993 for the build date, to include vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007; and
iii. Increasing the current maximum grant rates from €30,000 to €50,000 for vacant properties and from €50,000 to €70,000 for derelict properties
From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residential heretofore, subject to appropriate planning permission being in place.
Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict (i.e. structurally unsound and dangerous) or if the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
In order to be eligible, properties must be built up to and including 2007 and the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of grant approval. As part of the scheme, properties considered for inclusion must be for residential occupation as a principal private residence or made available for rent. Currently, there are no plans to revise the scheme condition relating to the required period of vacancy.
An applicant with a pending application for the grant who wishes to apply for a rental property instead of a principal private residence must inform the local authority of their intention to do so and submit a new application form. In doing do, the applicant must submit all relevant documentation and ensure they comply with the specific grant conditions in respect of properties that are refurbished to be made available to rent.
The updated scheme documentation and revised guidance, including a circular, outlining changes to the grant have issued to local authorities and have been published on my Department's website.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. A comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024.
