Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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113. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his Department’s plans to tackle dereliction and vacancy in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26342/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.

The Vacant Homes Action Plan, published in January 2023, built on Pathway 4 and set out the various actions that were being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. The Action Plan Progress Report was published in April 2024 and is available here on my Department's website: gov - Vacant Homes Action Plan 2023-2026 (www.gov.ie). (www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026/).

One of the key initiatives in the Action Plan is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, which is proving successful in tackling vacancy and dereliction in rural Ireland. The grant provides 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.

Another key initiative is the Town Centre First Policy, which was jointly launched by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development in February 2022 and provides a co-ordinated, whole-of-government policy framework to proactively address the decline in the health of towns and support measures to regenerate and revitalise them. To drive the delivery of Town Centre First (TCF) at a town level, dedicated Town Regeneration Officers are now established within local authorities and town plans have been developed across the first phase of TCF towns. Tackling vacancy and dereliction is a key element of these plans.

My Department is also tackling vacancy and dereliction through the €150 million Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The Fund has been made available to local authorities to acquire, including through compulsory purchase, vacant and derelict properties for sale or reuse.

The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses is a funding scheme which supports owners of vacant traditional houses with a grant for expert conservation advice. The grant is available to owners of vacant traditional houses availing of, or considering, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant - including over the shop type spaces.

My Department also provides funding of €60,000 per annum to support each local authority's Vacant Homes Office, including a full-time Vacant Homes Officer (VHO). 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 in rural Ireland and nationwide.

The new Programme for Government also includes a range of commitments to tackle vacancy and dereliction, including a commitment to create an ‘Above the Shop’ living refurbishment grant by topping up the vacant and derelict refurbishment grant. This will help make spaces above retail premises liveable. My Department is currently progressing this work.

I firmly believe that the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions taken will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes in rural Ireland and across the country.