Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 96, 108, 132, 157 and 159 together.

Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government. Housing for All, the Government's housing strategy, sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe towns fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in pathway 4 of Housing for All, and I welcome the opportunity to provide a brief update in respect of the fund.

In July 2022, I launched the vacant property refurbishment grant as part of the Croí Cónaithe towns fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence, making it their home. When I launched the grant, it was in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages. The initial response was very positive. To maximise the number of vacant properties which could be brought back into use, I announced the expansion of the grant to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from 15 November 2022.

A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as principal private residences, including the conversion of a property that has not previously been used as residential. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed this amount, a maximum top-up grant of €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict. This brings the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.

Feedback on the vacant property refurbishment grant has been positive since its launch, with 760 applications nationwide reported to the end of December. I expect the numbers will increase further following the expansion of the grant.

The ready to build scheme was launched on 21 September. It is also funded by the Croí Cónaithe towns fund. Under this scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers for building their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on their market value. My Department is engaging with each local authority in respect of sites that might be suitable for the scheme.

My Department is monitoring how both schemes are operating and engaging with the vacant homes officers who have been appointed in each local authority. Data in respect of these schemes are being collated and verified and will shortly be published on my Department's website on a quarterly basis. They will include county-level breakdowns. In 2022, there was no allocation limit set for individual local authorities in respect of the schemes, as it was anticipated that the actual drawdown would be low at the start while the schemes were getting up and running. In 2023, €24 million is available for the schemes and we will keep the question of allocations under review and monitor drawdowns. My Department will be keeping the schemes more generally under continual review, and it is intended that a comprehensive review and evaluation of the Croí Cónaithe towns fund will be undertaken by mid-2024.

Acknowledging the administrative overheads involved in delivering both schemes, my Department is providing project management support funding of between €60,000 and €180,000 to each local authority for their delivery. In 2022, €1.38 million was provided to 21 local authorities that applied for this funding.

The most efficient home to deliver is the one that already exists. Under Croí Cónaithe, these schemes can play a vital role in delivering homes and revitalising local communities.

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