Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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197. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if grants are available to refurbish an old shed at the back of a house, not for use for agricultural purposes but for ancillary domestic purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22221/23]

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.  The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins the 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 benefited those who wished 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 Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is being expanded from 1 May to build on the success of the scheme to date and further increase the support being provided to bring vacant and derelict properties brought back into use. Details of the expansion are as follows:

1. The inclusion of one property which will be made available for rent, by the owner, in addition to one grant for a property which will be a principal private residence of the applicant i.e. a maximum of two applications for a grant will be available;
2. Changing the eligibility date, which is currently 1993 for the build date, to include vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007; and
3. Increase of the current maximum grant rates from €30,000 to €50,000 for vacant properties and from €50,000 to €70,000 for derelict properties

Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict (i.e. structurally unsound and dangerous) or if the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.

In order to be eligible, properties must be built up to and including 2007 and the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of grant approval. As part of the scheme, properties considered for inclusion must be for residential occupation as a principal private residence or made available for rent.  

Individuals with interest in making an application for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant should make contact with the dedicated Vacant Homes Officer in their local authority who will be able to provide further information on grant eligibility and advice concerning the application process.