Working to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan will ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated, and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan outlines the range of initiatives and funding mechanisms that have been introduced in recent years and these measures are successfully reducing the levels of vacancy and dereliction right across the country, including Cork County.
One of the key measures in the Action Plan is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022. The grant provides up to €70,000 for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.
Since the launch of the Grant, Cork County have received the second highest number of applications nationwide with over 1,260 at the end of Q3 2025. Over 280 grants have now been issued upon completion of refurbishment works, amounting to over €15 million paid out so far.
Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities, the grant will be improved and expanded, with a new 'Above the Shop' grant and a new Expert Advice Grant to support property owners to bring these vacant upper floors into use as homes. Additional financial support will be provided to local authorities to assist them in the administration of the grant.
A new Derelict Property Tax will be introduced, administered and collected by the Revenue Commissioners, to bring derelict properties back into use.
Another focus is the active and timely use of the Derelict Sites Act, increasing the number of properties on the Derelict Sites Register and increasing and enforcing the collection of levies.
Under the CPO Activation Programme, local authorities are required to take a proactive and systematic approach to tackling vacancy, and actively use their compulsory purchase powers where engagement is unsuccessful.
Other measures taken include extending Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, introducing a contractor led renewal programme to help tackle dereliction and extending the planning permission exemptions for the conversion of certain vacant commercial properties to residential use.
All 31 local authorities have a full-time Vacant Homes Officer in place as a key point of contact in their Vacant Homes Office teams. My Department provides annual funding to each local authority to reinforce their capacity to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction.
Vacant Homes Officers are supported in their role by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, the Housing Agency and through the Vacant Homes Officer Network.
The new measures outlined in the Plan will build on these schemes and the significant work that has been done and outcomes achieved over the past number of years.
I firmly believe the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will play a vital role in delivering homes across the country.
