Written answers

Wednesday, 18 January 2023

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Vacant Properties

Photo of Ruairi Ó MurchúRuairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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469. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a person who has previously built a principal private residence but subsequently experienced marital breakdown is eligible for the vacant property refurbishment grant Croí Cónaithe towns fund; if they qualify under the fresh start principle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63304/22]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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A range of individuals or households are eligible to avail of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, including applicants who qualify under the ‘Fresh Start’ principle. This includes previous homeowners who have experienced divorce or separation, or insolvency or bankruptcy, and who no longer have a legal interest in the previous home.

Applicants should contact the Vacant Homes Officer in their local authority to discuss their application along with what supporting documentation is needed. A full list of Vacant Homes Officers and their contact details can be found on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/f59b3-vacant-homes-officer-contacts/

Further information on the grant can also be found on my Department's website at: www.gov.ie/en/service/f8f1b-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant/

Photo of Claire KerraneClaire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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470. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if consideration has been given to providing advance payment of grants for the Croí Cónaithe fund, in view of situations where those renovating buildings in rural areas cannot afford to spend upfront to carry out works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63325/22]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched in July 2022 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. As of the 15 November 2022, the grant was expanded to also include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas.

Further information in this regard is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/969fb-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-expanded-to-cities-and-remote-rural-areas/

In order for applications to be assessed for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant 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. Following the approval of an application, the applicant then has 18 months from the date of grant approval to carry out the works on the property. When the proposed works are completed, the local authority then carries out a final inspection on the property to ensure that the works carried out are in line with the approved application. Following this, the grant is paid to the applicant.

Payment of the grant at the end of this process is to ensure that the applicant has carried out the works applied for, and approved, and to safeguard that the grant is related to the works which have been completed.

While interim reviews will be ongoing, a comprehensive review and evaluation of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund will be undertaken no later than mid-2024.

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