Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
310. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the national target for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, is to bring back 20,000 homes into use by 2030 or annually up to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73210/25]
View answer311. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 'above-the-shop' top-up grant package of up to €140,000 will be awarded on a per single property basis or on a per unit delivered basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73211/25]
View answer312. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans on making the Vacant Homes Grant payment available in staged payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73212/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 310 to 312, inclusive, together.
The 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 process involves the local authority receiving and reviewing applications to ensure that the grant conditions are met and arranging for a qualified person to visit the property to check the refurbishment work being applied for and to assess the proposed cost. Following confirmation of a successful application and the works being completed, the local authority will conduct a final property visit to review that the work has been completed in-line with the grant application. Once the local authority is satisfied, they will then pay the grant.
Payment of the grant at the end of the process is to ensure that the applicant has carried out the works applied for and for which the grant is being paid. This is also the case for grants such as the SEAI grants and Housing Adaptation Grants, which are paid when works are completed.
A comprehensive review of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was undertaken in 2024, which considered all aspects of the scheme including the matter of staged payments. The review of the grant and the commitments contained in the Programme for Government were considered as part of the new housing plan which was launched in November.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 will support the refurbishment of a total of 20,000 homes using the grant. The housing plan has also committed to improve and expand the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant including by introducing an 'Above the Shop' top up grant. The new Vacant over the Shop Grant will have a stepped approach to adding additional homes, with a grant package of up to €100,000 currently envisaged where one residential unit is being created and a total package of up to €140,000 envisaged if three or more homes are created. My Department is currently progressing this work.
