Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
580. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address the concerns regarding the Craoí Cónaithe Grant , raised in correspondence (details supplied) [72001/25]
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.
The objective of the grant is to support the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties, bringing them back into use as homes. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
While demolition and extension works can form part of an application for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, such works must be part of a wider refurbishment of the existing dwelling in keeping with the objectives of the scheme
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. While the Department issues guidance to local authorities on the scheme, it has no direct role in deciding on individual applications.
Where an application is not successful, the applicant can lodge an appeal with the local authority to whom the application was made. A senior local authority official who was not involved with the original decision will assess the appeal and contact the applicant with the outcome. If the applicant's appeal is unsuccessful they can lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman.
Information on the scheme and conditions is available for applicants on my Department's website at [Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/services/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant/) .
