Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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490. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide his response to the recommendation in the UCC report Housing and Sustaining Communities on the West Cork Islands to 'Extend the Croí Cónaíthe Fund/Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme to the islands and increase the funding available'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13712/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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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 as well as on our islands 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.

In July 2022, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched 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, which was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages, was expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from 15 November, 2022.

The Ready to Build Scheme as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched in September 2022. 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.

Both schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund are available in respect of eligible properties and sites located on the islands.

The Department provides funding to of €60,000 to each local authority to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office, including a full-time Vacant Homes Officer (VHO). The role of the VHO includes identifying vacant properties in each local authority, engaging with owners, and promoting schemes available to address vacancy. This includes includes properties and owners residing on islands in where the island falls under the administrative area of that local authority.

When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review and it is intended that a comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024.