Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
436. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an updated figure for the number of croí cónaithe towns refurbishment grants that have been drawn down; the number of applications made; and the number of applications approved to date. [39839/23]
View answer514. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of croí cónaithe towns refurbishment grants that have been drawn down to date, with a breakdown by local authority; and the average amount drawn down in each county and the total draw-down State wide in 2023. [40139/23]
View answer537. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many croí cónaithe vacant property refurbishment grants have been approved in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40465/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 436, 514 and 537 together.
Pathway 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.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which can be accessed at the following link: Vacancy grant statistics
