Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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629. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will address concerns regarding the vacant homes grant raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61792/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. 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 amount 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.

Those applying for the grant are required to indicate on the application form if they are applying in respect of a property that will become their principal private residence or a property that will be made available for rent.

As part of the conditions of the grant, prior to the grant being paid, applicants who intend to make the property available to rent, must provide evidence that they have registered the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board.

Funding is available under a different scheme, the Repair and Leasing Scheme, to support refurbishment of vacant residential, commercial and public use properties, and vacant above the shop spaces, for use as social housing. This provides an interest free loan of up to €80,000, for each individual unit completed in a formerly vacant property. For example, where a vacant former shop is converted into four apartments, a loan of up to €320,000 is available. More information on the Repair and Lease scheme can be found at - Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS).