Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 June 2023
86. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, with regard to the vacant property refurbishment grant, he can clarify how people who wish to apply for the grant but cannot get a mortgage on the vacant property concerned due to its not being 'habitable' (i.e. no working kitchen) will be able to avail of the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31501/23]
View answerIn 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.
No consideration is given to the habitable nature of the property as part of the grant application review process. It is up to the applicant to identify the works they intend applying for. The applicant may also carry out additional works on the property separate to those applied for in the grant application process.
Rules relating to mortgage applications and the granting of mortgages are separate to the grant and are a matter for the mortgage provider.
