Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
498. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applications for the Croí Cónaithe towns grant; the number approved and the number drawn down with totals for each question; the breakdown by local authority area and the average grant amount approved and drawn down in each local authority area. [13783/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra507. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons who availed of the vacant properties refurbishment grant in each month since it was announced; and the amount of money drawn down from the scheme in each month since it was announced, in tabular form. [13936/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 498 and 507 together.
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.In July 2022, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant, which was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages, was expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from 15 November 2022.
On 21 September 2022, the Ready to Build Scheme was launched, also funded by the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. Under the Ready to Build Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis. This data includes numbers of applications received by local authority, applications approved and rejected and application type. Up to 31 December 2022, the average grant amount approved was €34,787. Data on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: gov.ie - Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Statistics (www.gov.ie)
