Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
604. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are instances whereby the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant will be approved for an applicant who has sold their house, moved into a vacant property, and then applied for the grant for that property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72300/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The grant is administered and managed by local authorities, who process and decide on applications in line with the scheme conditions and issue grant payments on completion of approved refurbishment works. In exceptional circumstances where a grant applicant has moved into a former vacant property in the weeks prior to making a grant application, this may be considered by the local authority. This will, however be a matter for them.
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].
