Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
288. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether an engineer’s report is required for every application on vacancy grounds for the croí cónaithe towns scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50566/23]
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.
One of the criteria to qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is that the property must be vacant for 2 years or more. Only where the top up grant in relation to a derelict property is being applied for, is an independent report prepared by an appropriately qualified professional required to be submitted along with the application, confirming, to the satisfaction of the local authority, that the property is derelict.
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, including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, will be undertaken by mid-2024.
