Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. 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 was previously used for commercial or public use, subject to appropriate planning permission being in place. This may apply in circumstances where an entire area or floor has been vacant above an office or shop, subject to the circumstances of each individual application which are a matter for the local authority to consider.
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.
Applicants who wish to convert certain commercial premises, including vacant areas above ground floor premises and former pubs, into residential units, may seek to avail of a planning exemption under the Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) Regulations 2022.
