Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
268. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update as of January 2026 on the Programme for Government commitment to provide an ambitious grant system to tackle vacancy and dereliction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8833/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra269. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update as of January 2026 on the Programme for Government commitment to improve the administration of the vacancy and dereliction grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8834/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together.
Tackling vacancy and dereliction is a key priority for this Government and the introduction of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was a significant measure taken to support bringing existing properties back into use as homes. The grant provides 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 derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
The grant is administered by the 31 local authorities. My Department provides funding of €60,000 per annum to support a full-time dedicated Vacant Homes Officer (VHO) role in each local authority. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of VHOs, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction. In addition, my Department has provided funding of €180,000 to support each local authority in their administration of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme.
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. VHOs across local authorities are supported in their work by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, which provides information and support and facilitates dissemination of information and best practice, including through the VHO Network. Support, advice and guidance is also provided to local authorities by the Property Optimisation Unit in the Housing Agency who have also established a legal and surveyor contract framework that local authorities can avail of to support timely decisions on grant applications and the issuing of payments to applicants.
Comprehensive information on the Grant is available on the Department's website, at the link provided here [Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/services/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant/) Information is also available from the Vacant Homes Officer in each local authority. The link provided here gives the contact details for the VHO's in each local authority: [Vacant Homes Officer Contacts] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/vacant-homes-officer-contacts/)
The grant has been extremely successful since its introduction in July 2022. Over 16,000 applications had been received across the country at end Q4 2025, with over 4,500 grants paid and over €246m in grant funding issued.
The new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, will support the refurbishment of 20,000 homes using this grant and commits to providing additional support to local authorities for the administration of the grant. In December 2025 the Government approved additional annual funding of up to €100,000 for local authorities in this regard. My Department has contacted all local authorities advising them of the additional funding available for grant administration.
To fulfil the action in the housing plan and the commitment contained in the Programme for Government, in 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 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 end of Quarter 1 2026.
