Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
514. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will amend the rules of the vacant property refurbishment grant to include vacant and derelict houses in rural areas with a population of less than 400; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42054/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra560. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way that the boundaries of towns and villages are defined under the Croí Cónaithe scheme where grants are available to refurbish vacant and derelict houses; the reason the scheme is limited to towns and villages and not available for houses in the countryside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42732/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra582. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the towns and villages in each county that are actually included as eligible for the Croí Cónaithe towns fund vacant property refurbishment grant scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43075/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra586. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason smaller villages have been excluded from the Croí Cónaithe fund; his views on whether this fund discriminates against rural areas; if he plans to incentivise the refurbishment of the many derelict properties in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43081/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 514, 560, 582 and 586 together.
On the 14 July, my Department launched the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The fund is initially focused on supporting refurbishment of vacant homes in regional towns and villages. The Fund is being delivered by local authorities, and will provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, initially through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, with priority given to areas where the level of vacancy or dereliction is high.
The Fund will benefit those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. This supports the development of town and village centres that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit, while also functioning as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community, key objectives in the National Planning Framework and the Town Centre First Policy, launched in February 2022.
A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 will be available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residential heretofore. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 will be available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.
There are over 500 towns and villages in Ireland with a population of over 400 people. It is intended that the Crói Cónaithe Fund could potentially apply in all such towns, and also to some smaller villages, which may not be defined as towns or villages for the purposes of the CSO Census mapping of vacant homes but with sufficient provision of services and amenities and for example, be walkable to town/village centre along footpaths primarily. Each local authority should prioritise consideration of applications in town/village locations based on the following criteria:
- the overall levels of vacancy and dereliction within the town or village;
- alignment with policies of the relevant development plan including areas/objectives identified for regeneration;
- the role that the Fund might play as part of wider town regeneration particularly in the light of emerging Town Centre First Plans and integration with other committed regeneration funding.
Applications are to be made to the Vacant Homes Officer (VHO) in the relevant local authority. The VHO can provide further advice and information in respect of the fund and the application process.
The Fund, is targeted to deliver some 2,000 homes by 2025. Data will be gathered on the operation of the initiative from the outset and will be kept under ongoing review by my Department. The question of extension of the fund to vacant or derelict properties other than those encompassed by the scheme at present will form part of the ongoing review of the scheme.
