Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 October 2024
112. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant property refurbishment grants applications approved in each local authority to date in 2024, in tabular form. [43354/24]
View answer118. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of grants applied for, and drawn down through, Galway County Council under the Croí Cónaithe fund in 2022, 2023 and the year to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43447/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 118 together.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is a key support, introduced by this Government, to bring vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. A grant of up to €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. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to €70,000.
The Grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built prior to 2008, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
The level of interest in and take-up of the Grant has been significant since it was launched. To date over 10,200 grant applications have been received across local authorities and over 6,800 approved. Payment of grants by local authorities commenced at the end of 2023, as refurbishment works started to be completed, and this has steadily increased. I expect this trend to continue, with the number of grants paid significantly increasing over the coming months as more refurbishment works are completed.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes a breakdown of the grants paid per local authority and the total amount of grants paid. This data can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/
