Housing Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2023

Thursday, 7 December 2023

Questions (218)

Michael Lowry

Question:

218. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what actions he has taken to expedite the process of issuing payments under the croí cónaithe scheme to applicants who have submitted payment requests through their local authority, following the successful completion of works; the total value of payments that have been issued to persons who have completed works and issued payment requests, by each local authority; the amount paid out to individuals who have completed the required works and submitted payment requests; the number of applications and that are waiting for payment approval by his Department to each local authority; the length of time that this payment is outstanding, since July 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54279/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

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. A maximum of two grants are available to any applicant, of which one must be in respect of a home they intend to occupy as their principal private residence and the other may be in respect of a property which will be made available for rent.

In order for payment of the grant to issue a final inspection is carried out by the local authority to ensure works approved are completed. On average refurbishment works are taking approximately 12 months to complete.

Support and guidance is provided to local authorities by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department and by the Housing Agency in respect of the processing of applications and grant payments.

To date the total value of payments that have been issued by local authorities to persons who have completed works is €3,403,178.

My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, see gov.ie - Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics (www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/).