Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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85. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current average processing time for an application under the Croí Cónaithe towns fund. [59635/22]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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86. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the funding increase that has been provided to each local authority given the expanded application criteria for the Croí Cónaithe towns fund, in tabular form. [59636/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.

Pathway 4 of Housing for All 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 Four of Housing for All.

Schemes under the Fund, which are delivered by local authorities, provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties and by providing serviced sites in towns and villages to people in order to build their own homes.

In July, 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. The grant was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages but I am pleased to say that as of the 15 November, the expanded grant also includes eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas (in addition to those in towns and villages, which have been eligible since July). Further details are available on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/969fb-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-expanded-to-cities-and-remote-rural-areas/.

On 21 September, I launched the Ready to Build Scheme, also funded by the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. Under the Ready to Build Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.

In the case of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, in order for applications to be assessed and a decision made, specified supporting documentation must be submitted with the application and a site visit carried out by the local authority to assess the works being applied for. Drawdown occurs on completion of the works.

My Department acknowledges the administrative overheads in delivering both schemes and a minimum supporting project management funding of €60,000 is being provided to each local authority in respect of the provision of refurbishment grants and of serviced sites.

Beyond an annual level of applications of some 50, the level of funding will be scaled up as outlined, but recognising that my Department is already financially supporting the Vacant Homes Office in each local authority which will have an important role in the rollout of these schemes.

- Up to 50 applications €60,000 (minimum)

- 51-100 applications €120,000

- Over 100 applications €180,000

The operation of schemes under the fund is delegated to and managed by local authorities. In 2022, it is not anticipated that there will be a constraint on allocations. Data regarding average processing times is not available at present. Expenditure and associated allocations will be kept under review for 2023, as the schemes roll-out. It is also intended that in future that data on the scheme will be published on the Department's website on a quarterly basis.