Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
246. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 30 January 2024, if a person can avail of the vacant home refurbishment scheme for works not yet commenced on the property before the local authority carries out an inspection (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11241/24]
View answerPathway 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 supports 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.
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.
An applicant who meets all of the eligibility and qualifying criteria can avail of the grant for works not yet commenced on the property. As part of the assessment of the grant application, the local authority carries out a site visit to inspect the works being applied for under the grant. A decision on the application, by the relevant local authority, is made following the site visit.
Works that have already commenced on the property, prior to application and an approval decision, cannot be claimed for as part of the grant, but proposed works not yet started can be included on the grant application.
