Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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589. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the eligibility requirements for a property to avail of the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme of croí cónaithe, which has received funding under the built heritage investment scheme. [2475/25]

James Browne (Wexford, 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.

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. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to €70,000. The Grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built prior to 2008, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.

The objective of the grant scheme is to support the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties, bringing them back into use as homes.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) is a Government grant offered by the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) to help the owners and custodians of historical buildings to maintain and conserve these important structures. Owners can apply to their Local Authority for funding of between €2,500 and €50,000 to help them undertake repair/conservation works to their properties. Eligible buildings must be listed on or proposed for listing on the Record of Protected Structures within their Local Authority area, while certain vernacular structures or historic shopfronts may also be eligible.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and other schemes such as the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Better Energy Home Scheme Grant and a housing aid for older people may be available in combination with the Vacant Property Refurbishment grant however, it would be for the BHIS or the local authority in question to advise on this in individual situations.

Works that are covered by another grant will not be covered under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The local authority must satisfy themselves that proposed works applied for under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant are not claimed for under any other grant funding stream.