I propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 303 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 introduced in July 2022, provides a grant of up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
The level of interest in the grant has been significant since it was launched, with over 11,300 applications received and 8,700 approved to the end of 2024.
In order to support the timely delivery of properties back into use, from May 2023, once a Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant application receives approval, applicants must complete works applied for within a period of 13 months. In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant is experiencing particular issues and cannot complete the works applied for under the grant within the 13 month period, the local authority may consider and grant an extension of the approval period at their discretion. My Department issued a circular to all local authorities in October 2023 in this regard.
Payment of grants by local authorities commenced at the end of 2023, as refurbishment works started to be completed, and this has steadily increased, with a total of 1,449 grants paid to the end of 2024, supporting bringing those properties back into use as homes. I expect this trend to continue, with the number of grants paid significantly increasing over the coming months as more refurbishment works are completed.
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.
In July 2024 the the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme (LAPR), was introduced which applies to all properties eligible for VPRG which will be eligible to apply for LAPR subject to conditions.
Under the new LAPR, a first-time buyer or Fresh Start applicant who wishes to purchase and/or renovate a Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant eligible home but cannot get sufficient funding from commercial lenders will now be able to apply to their local authority for a LAPR. This has the potential to help first time buyers and fresh start applicants to complete the purchase and renovation of a vacant or derelict property and provide an avenue to secure the necessary finance to make their project viable.
A review of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was undertaken in 2024 which included the matter of staged payments and the timeline to complete works. The review has now been completed and is under consideration.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes the number of applications, approvals, the type of grant applied for (vacant property refurbishment or derelict top-up grant) and the total amount of grants paid per local authority. The Q4 2024 grants statistics published on 25 February 2025, show that 1,349 grant payments issued in 2024. All grant data from 2022 onwards can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#:~:text=A%20grant%20of%20up%20to,property%20up%20to%20%E2%82%AC70%2C000.
