John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 156, 169, 191, 198, 207 and 255 together.

Tackling vacancy and dereliction is a key objective of this Government as reflected in the new housing plan, delivering homes and building communities. The vacant property refurbishment grant, which is funded under the croí cónaithe towns fund, provides a grant of up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for the 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. Since its introduction in 2022, the vacant property refurbishment grant has been a key support to bring back vacant and derelict properties into use as homes. To the end of 2025, over 16,000 grant applications have been received nationwide and over 4,514 were paid out, amounting to €247 million. My Department publishes data on applications for the 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.

Prior to the decision being made on grant applications, local authority reviews the applications to ensure that grant conditions are met and the required supporting documentation has been submitted. They will then arrange for a qualified person to visit the property to check the refurbishment work being applied for and to assess the proposed cost.

Once this process is complete, the local authority will make its decision on the grant application, which is then issued to the applicant. Applicants have 13 months to complete the works from the date of approval but in exceptional circumstances where an applicant cannot complete the works applied for under the grant within this 13-month period, the local authority may grant an extension of the approval period at its discretion. Following confirmation of a successful application and the works being completed, the local authority will conduct a final property visit to review that the work has been completed in line with the grant application. Once the local authority is satisfied all required documentation is in order, it will then pay the grant. Payment of the grant at the end of the process is to ensure the applicant has carried the works applied for and approved and to safeguard that the grant is related to the works completed. The average processing time for applications received in the past year from date of receipt to date of decision is 67 days. The average processing time for applications received where all required information to support the application is received at the outset over the same period is 48 days. I propose to attach the information requested as part of the Official Report.

The vacant homes unit in the Department monitors delivery of the grant and engages with local authorities on an ongoing basis, identifying issues and providing support and guidance in relation to the administration and processing of grant applications. Support is also provided to local authorities by the property optimisation unit within in the Housing Agency. This engagement supports efficient delivery of the grant and a consistent approach by local authorities in grant administration throughout the country. In line with the action contained in the housing plan, additional annual financial support of up to €100,000 per annum will be provided to local authorities to assist with grant administration. Building on the success of the grant and in line with the agreed action in the new housing plan, the Government in December approved extending availability of the grant to 2030, with 20,000 grants to be paid. Approval was also given for the introduction of a vacant above-the-shop grant, with a package of up to €140,000 to be made available in cases where a vacant above-the-shop space is being converted or refurbished for residential use and the commercial elements remains. The additional grant amount for these properties recognises the complexities involved in bringing this space into residential use. The package includes an expert advice grant of up to €5,000. Alongside these changes, approval was also given to provide an additional top-up of existing grant levels where an entire commercial building is converted into more than one residential unit. An additional €20,000 will be made available for the creation of a second residential unit and a further €20,000 where three or more units are created in the building. This will be on top of the existing grant of €50,000 to €70,000 as appropriate. The Department is progressing work on the vacant above-the-shop grant and the expert advice grant. It will be for made available for delivery by local authorities in the coming weeks.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

The vacant property refurbishment grant is one of the many measures introduced and being introduced to tackle the scourge of dereliction and vacancy head-on. It has proved very successful and the changes now being made, build on that to maximise the number of vacant and derelict properties being brought into use as homes across across our villages, towns and cities.

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