Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2025
604. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a house that had block work completed before 2008 will be considered substantially complete for the vacant property grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54871/25]
View answerThe 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. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
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 objective of the grant is to support the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties, bringing them back into use as homes. Works must relate to the refurbishment of an existing dwelling in keeping with the objectives of the scheme. While the Department issues guidance on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, it has no direct role in deciding on individual applications. The grant is administered and managed by local authorities, who process and decide on applications and issue grant payments on completion of approved refurbishment works.
Queries on eligibility are a matter for the Vacant Homes Officer in the relevant local authority area in the first instance.
Vacant Homes Officers (VHOs) are in place in all local authorities and play a vital role in supporting Government measures to target vacancy at a local level. VHOs are available to provide advice, support and guidance to the public in relation to the schemes in place to tackle vacancy. A full list of VHOs and their contact details can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/f59b3-vacant-homes-officer-contacts/ .
