Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 22, 32, 64 and 91 together.

Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government. Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make effective use of our existing housing stock. The vacant homes action plan, which the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, launched in January 2023, outlines the significant progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. The Department will publish a progress report on the plan in April, setting out what it has achieved in 2023 and further steps that will be taken in 2024.

A key initiative is the vacant property refurbishment grant, which the Minister launched in July 2022. A grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is now available for the refurbishment of a vacant property for occupation as a principal private residence and property that will be made available for rent. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of €50,000, 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 €70,000. The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including in 2007 in towns, villages, cities and rural areas. The grant is making a real impact in addressing vacancy and making the refurbishment of these vacant and derelict properties a more affordable option for those seeking to purchase a new home. The level of interest and feedback on the grant has been extremely positive, with over 7,362 applications reported as received to date, 4,253 applications approved and 250 grants paid out as works are completed.

Currently, from the data available to my Department, refurbishment works are taking some 13 months to complete, at which point the local authority conducts a final visit. Where everything is in order and the necessary documentation is provided by the applicant, the grant will then be paid. It is anticipated that the payment of grants by local authorities will increase significantly during 2024 as more works are completed in line with approval timelines.

My Department publishes data on applications for the vacant property refurbishment grant on its website on a quarterly basis. Statistics to the end of March 2024 are due to be published in the coming week, including data on the number of applications received, approved, rejected and paid for per local authority and the total value of grants paid.

When the Croí Cónaithe towns fund was launched, a commitment was given that a comprehensive review of the schemes under it would be undertaken. That review is now under way and is expected to be completed by the middle of the year.

Another key initiative launched under the vacant homes action plan in April 2023 was a new compulsory purchase order activation programme. This programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant properties. It also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful. Targets were set for each local authority for 2023 and these will be reported on later this year.

A key support for local authorities to tackle vacancy has been provided through the €150 million urban regeneration development fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties for reuse or sale, using their compulsory purchase powers were necessary. The fund will be replenished from the proceeds received from the sale or reuse of a site, allowing a local authority to establish a rolling programme to tackle vacancy.

The most efficient home to deliver is one that already exists. I firmly believe that the commitment this Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions we have taken will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes and revitalising local communities.

See this speech in context