Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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1688. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to define the aspects of affordability related to the vacant property grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44226/25]

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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1691. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason the vacant property grant is included in affordable housing delivery figures; if he will consider plans to reclassify the vacant property grant from being a form affordable housing to a stand alone measure to address vacant and derelict property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44229/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1688 and 1691 together.

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 two years or more at the time of application.

The grant has been very successful since its launch, with over 2,850 grants paid to end Q2 2025 as refurbishment works are completed and properties come back into use.

The affordable housing programme under Housing for All has homeownership at its core and is about enabling and supporting people who wish to own their own home.

Whether through supporting the purchase of a new home through the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme or the First Home Scheme, or enabling the the purchase and refurbishment of an existing vacant or derelict property, the government is providing significant financial support to make owning a home a reality.

In providing a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties, the grant is making these properties an affordable option for buyers across the country to turn these disused properties into a home. It has become a vital affordable support particularly in more rural areas, where supply of new housing is not readily available and it is also supporting the regeneration of towns and villages and areas of our cities, as well as supporting environmental objectives.

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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1689. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the average income of those in receipt of the vacant property grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44227/25]

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 two years or more at the time of application.

My Department does not hold information on the income of applicants for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.

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 and the total number and value of grants paid per local authority. The Q2 2025 grant statistics were published on 18 July 2025. This data can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#2025.

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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1690. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of multiple property owners who received the vacant property grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44228/25]

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 two years or more at the time of application.

Applicants may apply for a maximum of two grants under this scheme - where one property will become their principal private residence and the second will be in respect of a property made available for rent. Applications for the grant can only be made by named individuals who own the property for which the grant is being applied for or who are actively engaged in purchasing the property. The grant is not available to registered companies, developers, undertakings etc.

My Department does not hold information on the number of properties that applicants of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant own.

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 and the total number and value of grants paid per local authority. The Q2 2025 grant statistics were published on 18 July 2025. This data can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#2025.

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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1692. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the vacant homes action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44230/25]

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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1698. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the Vacant Homes Action Plan 2023-2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44271/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1692 and 1698 together.

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. In March I published the 2025 Progress Report which shows the significant progress that is being made and it is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026/