John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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644. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if considerations has been given towards extending the time afforded to successful applicants under the vacant property refurbishment grant to complete the works on the vacant property for which grant aid has been approved beyond the 13-month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17527/25]

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.

In order to support the timely delivery of properties back into use, from May 2023, once a Vacant Property Refurbishment 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.

A review of the scheme carried out in 2024 which included the timeline to complete works, is under consideration.