Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 July 2024
104. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a review of the vacant property refurbishment fund, in particular that it would be awarded in stage payments rather than a lump sum after work has been completed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28399/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
Applicants have 13 months to complete works from the date of approval. In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant is experiencing particular issues and cannot complete the works applied for under the grant within the 13 month period, the local authority may grant an extension of the approval period at their discretion. My Department issued a circular to all local authorities in October 2023 in this regard.
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 approved, and to safeguard that the grant is related to the works which have been completed .
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that a comprehensive review of the schemes under it, including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, would be undertaken by mid 2024. That review is currently underway. The matter of staged payments will be considered in the review.
On 4th June 2024, I announced the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan (LAPR) which is an expansion of the Local Authority Home Loan . A key feature of the LAPR is that a bridging loan, may be available to help eligible first time buyers and fresh start applicants complete the purchase and renovation of eligible vacant or derelict properties. This loan is expected to be operational in the coming weeks.
These measures are evidence of the Government’s continued focus on bringing vacant and derelict homes back into use, which is a major objective of Housing for All.
