Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
396. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if properties, the upper floors of which are vacant but the ground floor is and has been in use, are eligible to apply for the croí cónaithe (towns) fund scheme in respect of the upper floors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24145/23]
View answerPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use.
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 or where 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.
The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
A maximum of two grants are available to any applicant, of which one must be in respect of a home they intend to occupy as their principal private residence and the other may be in respect of a property which will be made available for rent.
Upper floors of commercial buildings, which have been vacant for two years or more and built up and including 2007 are eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, regardless of whether the ground floor is currently vacant or derelict.
