Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
298. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he acknowledges that the two-year vacancy condition attached to the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme through the Croí Cónaithe (towns) is having a negative impact on uptake, deterring many people from availing of the grant aid; if this condition will be amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50781/23]
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 under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund 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.
The property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of grant application and proof of vacancy is required to support grant applications. There has not been any evidence that the two year vacancy requirement is an issue and it is important that this period is retained to avoid any inappropriate incentive to leave properties vacant in order to avail of the grant.
Take-up of the grant has been very positive since its launch , with 4,640 applications for the grant by the end of September 2023 and some 1,975 approvals. The Government agreed on 14 November 2023, to increase the target of homes delivered using the grant, from 2,000 to 4,000 by 2025.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. It is intended that a comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024.
