Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

321. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to reform a grant application procedure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28747/24]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

322. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will reform a housing grant procedure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28748/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 322 together.

Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to €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. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a 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.

The grant process involves the local authority receiving and reviewing applications to ensure that the grant conditions are met and arranging for a qualified person to visit the property to check the refurbishment work being applied for and to assess the proposed cost. Following confirmation of a successful application and the works being completed, the local authority will conduct a final property visit to review that the work has been completed in-line with the grant application. Once the local authority is satisfied, they will then pay the grant.

Payment of the grant at the end of the process is to ensure that the applicant has carried out the works applied for and for which the grant is being paid.

On 5th June following Government approval I announced the extension of the Local Authority Home Loan to the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme (LAPR), which applies to all properties eligible for VPRG which will be eligible to apply for LAPR subject to conditions.

Under the new LAPR, a first-time buyer or Fresh Start applicant who wishes to purchase and/or renovate a Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant eligible home but cannot get sufficient funding from commercial lenders will now be able to apply to their local authority for a LAPR. This has the potential to help first time buyers and fresh start applicants who are struggling to complete the purchase and renovation of a vacant or derelict property and provide an avenue to secure the necessary finance to make their project viable.

This reinforces the Government’s commitment to bring homes back into use, a key objective of Housing for All, while also providing another funding pathway for individuals to realise their goal of homeownership. The loan, will be available in the coming weeks

In order to support the timely delivery of properties back into use, from May 2023, once a grant application receives approval, applicants must complete works applied for within a period of 13 months. In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant is experiencing particular issues and cannot complete the works applied for under the grant within the 13 month period, the local authority may consider and grant an extension of the approval period at their discretion. My Department issued a circular to all local authorities in October 2023 in this regard.

When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that a comprehensive review of the schemes under it, including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, would be undertaken by mid 2024. The review has been completed and I am considering same. The matter of staged payments and timeline for completion of works have been considered as part of the review.