Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2026
143. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to give an update on the work his Department is undertaking to address the scourge of vacant properties (details supplied); if demands will be put on property owners to use it or lose it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44506/26]
View answerWorking to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's new Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan aims to ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated and effective and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.
A key measure in the new Housing Plan is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe fund. 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. The properties must be brought back into use to avail of this grants.
As set out in the Housing Plan, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant has been improved and expanded as of 1 April 2026 with a new 'Above the Shop' grant introduced along with a new Expert Advice Grant to support property owners to bring these vacant upper floors over commercial units into use as homes.
The CPO Activation Programme, launched in April 2023, requires a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to identifying and activating vacant and derelict properties.
Local authorities are identifying vacant and derelict properties and engaging with owners to bring these properties back into use using the wide range of schemes now in place. This includes using their compulsory purchase powers under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 and the Housing Act 1966, when engagement with the owners of these properties is not successful.
While local authorities vary in their willingness to use compulsory purchase powers, my Department is working to support local authorities to strengthen their activation response to vacancy and dereliction.
Funding is available through Urban Regeneration and Development Fund Call 3, the Social Housing Investment Programme, from the Housing Finance Agency or local authorities' own internal resources, to provide the finance required to acquire vacant and derelict properties, including compulsorily.
As part of the Programme, my Department, along with the Housing Agency, is providing guidance and supports for local authorities to actively use their powers under the Housing Act and Derelict Sites Act.
To further strengthen our approach to tackling this issue, a Derelict Property Tax was announced in Budget 2026 and it is intended to introduce legislation providing for the tax in 2026. When it comes into effect, the tax will replace the Derelict Sites Levy and will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners. Levies under the Derelict Sites Act that remain outstanding when the new tax is introduced will remain the responsibility of each local authority to collect.
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.
Vacant Homes Officers play a vital role in working with property owners to ensure these properties are brought back into use. They are actively promoting the wide range of schemes in place to address vacancy and dereliction, such as the Repair and Leasing Scheme, Buy and Renew Scheme, the Living City Initiative, Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE) and planning exemptions for certain vacant commercial premises.
The Plan's new measures build on the significant work that has been done and outcomes achieved over the past number of years, as well as improving and expanding existing schemes. These initiatives are working and vacancy levels are declining across the country.
I firmly believe the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes across the country.
