Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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487. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if grant-aid is available to support families construct a granny flat or similar structure on the property of their family home for members of their own families who may have additional needs or disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7177/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides funding to local authorities in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, to assist eligible people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants includes the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant are funded by the Department with a contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of the grants, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications, is the responsibility of the local authorities.

My Department does not provide a specific grant for the construction of granny flats or similar structures on the property of family homes.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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488. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the funding allocated by his Department to local authorities to process the croí cónaithe grants; and the number of additional staff allocated to vacant property units in local authorities. [7197/25]

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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489. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if Dublin City Council has requested additional staffing support for the vacant property unit for the purpose of processing croí cónaithe grant applications. [7198/25]

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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490. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the total value of croí cónaithe grants paid out in 2024 compared to the total amount of funding available. [7199/25]

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.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant introduced in July 2022, provides a grant of up to €50,000 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 confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.

My Department provides funding of €60,000 per annum to ensure that the VHO role in each local authority is fulltime. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of VHOs, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction. All 31 local authorities now have a full time, dedicated VHO in place. In addition my Department has provided funding of €180,000 to support each local authority in their administration of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme. There is no request currently from DCC for additional resources.

VHOs across local authorities are supported in their work by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, which provides information and support and facilitates dissemination of information and best practice, including through the VHO Network.

While my Department has a role in strategic workforce planning within the local government sector, Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.

My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes the number of applications, approvals, the type of grant applied for (vacant property refurbishment or derelict top-up grant) and the total amount of grants paid per local authority. The Q4 2024 will be published this week. This data can be accessed at the following link: