Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
396. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the supports available for the refurbishment of vacant agricultural buildings with a view to bringing them into residential use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52954/23]
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 I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which supports 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.
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.
In order to be eligible, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of grant approval. As part of the scheme, properties considered for inclusion must be for residential occupation as a principal private residence or made available for rent. Information on the scheme and application process is available from Vacant Homes Officers in each local authority.
Further support available is the Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses which is primarily a built heritage scheme, intended to support the conservation of an important and historically neglected part of our traditional building stock. I am pleased to note that it may also make a contribution to our broader efforts to tackle vacancy and dereliction.
Owners of derelict and/or vacant traditional farmhouses often undertake renovation works without professional advice, and may carry out unnecessary demolition or use materials that damage the historic fabric of the building. In general this results in a loss of historic character and, in some cases, further expenditure for the owner. It is hoped that these outcomes can be avoided through the timely provision of expert advice.
I would emphasise that this is a pilot scheme intended to trial the provision of conservation grants for vacant traditional farmhouses. My Department is currently looking into options for extending the scheme beyond vernacular farmhouses, to cover a wider range of historic buildings in both urban and rural areas, subject to appropriate sanction and to the estimates process.
In the meantime, I would call attention to the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund, grant programmes offered by my Department which fund conservation works in a wide range of historic buildings. The Historic Structures fund in particular has a vernacular stream which is open to unprotected vernacular buildings.
€9m was allocated to these schemes for 2024, with the application window currently open until January 2024. All applications are made through the relevant local authority. It is advised to contact the conservation or heritage officer in the relevant local authority for details of closing dates, as these differ from local authority.
