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For Written Answer on : 03/05/2023
Question Number(s): 219 Question Reference(s): 20482/23
Department: Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
* To ask the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage if he will list the number of vacant property refurbishment grant applications received, approved, and issued to date by each respective local authority since the introduction of the grant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– David Stanton T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 3 May, 2023.
REPLY
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.
In July 2022, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund.
Building on the success of the scheme to date and to further increase the number of vacant and derelict properties brought back into use, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is being expanded from 1 May. Details of the expansion are as follows:
i. The inclusion of one property which will be made available for rent, by the owner, in addition to one grant for a property which will be a principal private residence of the applicant i.e. a maximum of two applications for a grant will be available;
ii. Changing the eligibility date, which was set at 1993 for the build date, to include vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007; and
iii. Increasing of the maximum grant rates from €30,000 to €50,000 for vacant properties and from €50,000 to €70,000 for derelict properties.
My Department publishes data on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/
The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is targeted to deliver some 2,000 homes by 2025 and €24 million is being provided through the Fund in 2023, which will be kept under review in line with demand.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review and it is intended that a comprehensive review and evaluation of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant will be undertaken by mid-2024 as part of this.
