Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2026
1588. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether under the croi conaithe scheme, particularly as it applies to Islands, a community council could qualify for the croi conaithe grant to do up a derelict home to rent out to workers or to support a local family in need; if not, if he will consider such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54836/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1697. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the vacant and derelict property grants that have been approved since the scheme was first introduced in County Kerry; the number of applications that have been submitted; the number that are progressing; the number withdrawn; the number refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56673/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1698. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant and derelict property grants that have been approved nationally since the scheme was first introduced; the number of applications that have been submitted; the number progressing; the number withdrawn; the number refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56674/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1711. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received, approved and refused under the croí cónaithe vacant property refurbishment grant in County Kerry in each of the quarters since the grant's inception and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56825/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1717. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received, approved, rejected and paid under the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme in County Kerry in each of the years since the scheme's inception. [56866/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1768. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant property refurbishment grant applications received, approvals issued, grants paid and the total value of grants paid, by county and year since the scheme commenced, in tabular form. [57880/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1812. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for limiting eligibility for the vacant property refurbishment grant, including above-the-shop accommodation, to individual applicants only; whether consideration would be given to extending the eligibility to small and micro enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58179/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1813. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will give further consideration to increase the vacant property refurbishment grant to address the issues of vacancy and dereliction in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58189/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1826. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of people who have applied for the vacant property refurbishment grant since it was established; the number that have been approved for the grant; and the number to whom moneys have been paid out. [58525/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1910. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications for the vacant property refurbishment grant refused in each local authority area, by reason for refusal, in tabular form. [59259/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1588, 1697, 1698, 1711, 1717, 1768, 1812, 1813, 1826 and 1910 together.
Tackling vacancy and dereliction is at the heart of the Government's housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, has been a key measure in addressing vacancy and dereliction across the country. To the end of Q2 2026, over 18,800 applications have been received, over 14,300 approved, with more than 6,300 grants paid out following completion of works, totalling almost €349 million.
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 €70,000. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
There are currently no plans to increase the rate of payments for the grant.
Additional support under the VPRG is available to support the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties located on the islands to help bring them back into use. The maximum rate of the Grant payable is up to 20% higher for eligible vacant and derelict properties on qualifying islands.
Applications for the grant can only be made by named individuals who own the property for which the grant is being applied for or who are actively engaged in purchasing the property. The grant is not available to registered companies, developers, undertakings etc. Applicants may transfer a property from company ownership into their individual ownership in order to apply for the grant.
Completing an Action under the new Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, 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 above these properties recognises the complexities involved in bringing this space into use. The package includes an Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000. The new Vacant Above the Shop Grant and Expert Advice Grant were launched on 1 April 2026, with applications and information on the Grants available from each local authority and at the following link www.gov.ie/vacancy.
The housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 has committed to exploring an extension of the Vacant Above the Shop Grant to micro companies and this work is currently under way.
There are a range of measures in place to address vacancy and support urban regeneration, which can be availed of by companies and undertakings, such as the Repair and Leasing Scheme, the Living City Initiative and planning exemptions for the conversion of certain commercial properties into residential use.
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 and the Vacant Above the Shop Grant for every quarter. The Q2 2026 grant statistics were published on 17 July 2026. This data can be accessed at the following link: Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#2025).
