Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 April 2024
28. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if staged payments will be introduced for the croí cónaithe home renovation grant scheme, given the difficulties being experienced by grant recipients in having to find the finance upfront before drawing back the grant; if the entire process will be streamlined to reduce red-tape and speed up processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15695/24]
View answer77. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration will be given to stage payments for paying out the croí cónaithe grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14385/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 77 together.
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 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.
The grant process involves the local authority receiving and reviewing applications to ensure that the grant conditions are met and arranging for a qualified person to visit the property to check the refurbishment work being applied for and to assess the proposed cost. Following confirmation of a successful application and the works being completed, the local authority will conduct a final property visit to review that the work has been completed in-line with the grant application. Once the local authority is satisfied, they will then pay the grant.
Payment of the grant at the end of the process is to ensure that the applicant has carried out the works applied for and for which the grant is being paid.
W hen the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that a comprehensive review of the schemes under it, including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, would be undertaken by mid 2024. That review is currently underway and is due to be completed in mid 2024. The matter of staged payments will be considered in the review.
