Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant 'breathing life' into derelict buildings - Troy

New figures from the Department of Housing show that Westmeath County Council have received 27 applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant in the first half of the year with 15 approved and nine grants paid out after works were completed.

Welcoming the news, local Fianna Fáil Minister of State Robert Troy, has acknowledged that the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant figures are “proof that the grant is breathing life back into vacant and derelict buildings and turning them into homes. It’s a smart lever that’s quietly adding real housing supply across Ireland.”

Since the scheme began Westmeath County Council have approved 197 applications, with a total value of just over €4m.

Speaking on the statistics Minister Troy said, “this grant shows the Government's strategic approach to housing is hitting 'two birds with one stone' and breathing life back into towns and villages while boosting housing supply. One scheme, double the impact.

“Tackling the housing crisis means using every tool available. Creative schemes like this help us unlock new supply across the country. Increasing supply is the solution, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

"I have to commend the efforts of the Vacant Property section in Westmeath County Council who are doing tremendous work in relation to this scheme. The figures speak for themselves and the show that Westmeath County Council are one of the top performing counties in terms of approvals."

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant offers up to €50,000, or up to €70,000 for derelict properties, to help renovate vacant homes for private use or rental. Funded by the Department of Housing through the Croí Cónaithe scheme, the grant is available through the local authority.