Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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643. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of applications, approvals, and completed refurbishments under the croí cónaithe towns scheme since its introduction; the average cost per unit; and whether reforms are planned to increase uptake in Cork. [63910/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, 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 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. This data also includes a breakdown of applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Derelict Property Top-up Grant for every quarter. The Q3 2025 grant statistics were published on 17 October 2025. This data can be accessed at the following link: Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#2025.

Data in relation to the average cost of homes availing of the grant in not collated by my Department.

The Governments new Housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities has committed to improve and expand the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. My Department is currently progressing this work.