Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 January 2026
90. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants and amount granted in vacant property refurbishment grants, by county, since the scheme launched to date in 2026, in tabular form. [6713/26]
View answer91. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants and amount granted in vacant above the shop grants, by county, since the scheme launched to date in 2026, in tabular form. [6714/26]
View answer92. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants and amount granted in expert advice grants, by county, since the scheme launched to date in 2026; and the number of additional grant applicants in respect of top-ups and the amount granted over the same time period, in tabular form. [6715/26]
View answer97. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the new Department circular concerning the vacant home grant will be amended to allow companies to apply for the grant, as many small independent retailers are companies that own premises, but are precluded from applying for the scheme for apartments above shops and other similar properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6959/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 91, 92 and 97 together.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, 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 grant is currently available for the conversion of former commercial or public use buildings as well as "Above the Shop" type conversions. Data in relation to over the shop or upper floor accommodation availing of the grant is currently not collated by my Department.
Applicants may apply for a maximum of two grants under the scheme - where one property will become their principal private residence and the second will be in respect of a property made available for rent. Applications for the grant can only be made by named individuals who own the property for which the grant is being applied for or who are actively engaged in purchasing the property. The grant is not available to registered companies, developers, undertakings etc.
Since its introduction, the grant has been extremely successful with almost 16,000 applications received across the country up to the end of Q4 2025. It has achieved its target, set under the previous housing plan, to support bringing back into use 4,000 homes by the end of 2025.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes the number of applications, approvals and the total number and value of grants paid per local authority. This data also includes a breakdown of applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Derelict Property Top-up Grant for every quarter. The Q4 2025 grant statistics were published on 26 January 2026. This data can be accessed at the following link: Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics
The Housing Plan Delivering Homes Supporting Communities commits to expanding the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issue of vacancy and dereliction, including the extension of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, to provide additional support for the refurbishment and conversion of above the shop vacant space for use as homes.
To fulfil the action in the housing plan and the commitment contained in the Programme for Government, last December the Government approved the introduction of a Vacant Above the Shop Grant with a package of up to €140,000 to be made available in cases where vacant above the shop space is being converted/refurbished for residential use and the commercial element is remaining. The additional grant amount for above these properties recognises the complexities involved in bringing this space into use. The package includes an Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000.
My Department is currently progressing work to introduce the Vacant Above the Shop Grant. I expect that it and the Expert Advice Grant will be made available, for delivery by local authorities, by the start of April.
The Housing Plan also commits to exploring an extension of the Vacant Above the Shop Grant to micro companies. It should also be noted that other schemes such as the Repair and Leasing Scheme, which supports bringing vacant properties, including 'above the shop' property, into residential use and SEAI grants are currently available to businesses.
