Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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530. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department will consider changes to the vacant property grant (croí conaithe grant) to allow houses built but not completed from the 31 December 2007 deadline under the current regulations to 31 December 2009 (details supplied). [32598/25]

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 qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for 2 years or more at the time of application.

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

A review of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was undertaken in 2024. That review has been completed and is under consideration.

The progress report on the Vacant Homes Action Plan 2023-2026, published in March 2025 provides an update on the progress being made by local authorities in addressing housing estates categorised as "unfinished" to minimise vacancy levels. The link to the report is contained here;