Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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286. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of applications that have been made to Roscommon County Council under the croí cónaithe fund; the number of those applications that have been granted and refused, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14847/23]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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321. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of applications made to each county council under the croí cónaithe urban and rural scheme respectively; the number granted, refused and on hand in each category; when the terms and conditions of the scheme will be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15324/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 286, 308 and 321 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.

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.

On 21 September 2022, the Ready to Build Scheme was launched, 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.

My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis. This data includes numbers of applications received by local authority, applications approved and rejected and application type. Data on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/.

The scheme has been kept under ongoing review since its launch and Government has decided to further expand the Grant eligibility to increase the number of vacant and derelict properties being brought back into use. My Department is currently working on details of this expansion and I will make a further announcement on the changes to the scheme when this work has concluded.