Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
379. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount that was paid out in the vacant property refurbishment grant, by county, in 2022 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15754/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra380. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received for the vacant property refurbishment grant, by county, in 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15755/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra381. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications refused for the vacant property refurbishment grant, by county, in 2022 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15756/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra391. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applications received, approved and paid under the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme since its commencement; the total amount of public expenditure disbursed under the scheme to date. [15809/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra392. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in respect of approved and paid applications under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme the number and percentage of recipients who were Irish citizens; the number and percentage of recipients who were citizens of another EU Member State; the number and percentage of recipients who were non-EU citizens; whether the Department or local authorities collect data on the length of legal residence in the State of grant recipients at the time of application; whether the Department collects or verifies information on prior income tax or PRSI contributions in the State as part of the eligibility or compliance process; whether tax clearance certification is required prior to approval or payment;(g) whether any assessment is carried out regarding an applicant’s previous contribution to the Exchequer before public monies are disbursed; and if the information requested is not centrally collated, the data that is available and whether consideration has been given to enhancing reporting transparency in respect of the scheme. [15810/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 379, 380, 381, 391 and 392 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. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
Information is not requested on the nationality of applicants for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. It is a condition that applicants must provide evidence of tax compliance, with tax clearance from Revenue. This must be provided by the applicant, to their local authority, prior to the payment of the grant
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: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#2025.
