Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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178. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the total demolition of a property is acceptable under the vacant properties grant; if not, if it deems a property ineligible for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8307/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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182. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider introducing stage payments in respect of the Croí Cónaithe and vacant and derelict property grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8386/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 182 together.

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 is to support the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties, bringing them back into use as homes. While demolition and extension works can form part of an application for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, such works must be part of a refurbishment of an existing dwelling in keeping with the objectives of the scheme. The grant is administered and managed by local authorities, who process and decide on applications and issue grant payments on completion of approved refurbishment works.

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 5 June 2024 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 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 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.

A comprehensive review of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was undertaken in 2024. The review findings are currently under consideration.