Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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129. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to review correspondence (details supplied); if he will address the issues outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55755/23]

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.

In July 2022 I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use.

From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a commercial or public use property which has not been used as residential heretofore, subject to appropriate planning permission being in place

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 or where 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.

The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.

total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.

The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.

The correspondence received from Monaghan County Council and request for agriculture outhouses, lofts, old mills etc. to be included in the grant scheme is noted.

When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. It is intended that a comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024 and I will ensure that the request made by Monaghan County Council is considered in that review.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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130. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department is continuing the repair and lease scheme; the total number of applications from Kerry approved under this scheme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55830/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The repair and leasing scheme (RLS) is one of the delivery options in Pathway 4 of Housing for All – Pathway to Addressing Vacancy and Efficient Use of Existing Stock.

Housing for All committed to placing a renewed focus on RLS and has set ambitious targets for its duration. In line with this commitment, a pilot expansion to the scheme targeting the conversion of vacant commercial / institutional premises commenced in June 2022 and in July 2023, I increased the loan available for repair works to €80,000 (including VAT) per individual home provided.

Departmental approval is required for projects that contain more than 4 units. Local authorities have delegated sanction for projects of less than 4 units. The total number of applications submitted to my Department by Kerry County Council in 2023 is outlined in the below table.

My Department also collects data regarding the number of repair and leasing applications received by each local authority on a quarterly basis. This information is available at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/