Long-term rental incentives
Deputy Griffin asked for better incentives to convert short-term rentals to long-term lets and for help for first-time buyers. The Minister pointed to the forthcoming Croí Cónaithe towns and villages fund, repair-and-lease supports, and higher grants for vacant or derelict homes.
I have a few specific suggestions on housing that would dramatically increase the supply of homes for sale and long-term rent on the market. Will the Minister look at providing better incentives to property owners to make their properties available for long-term rather than short-term rental? In this context, will he look at something similar to the €14,000 rent-a-room disregard? This could dramatically increase the supply of long-term rentals that are currently only available for short terms.
The other aspect was whether the Minister will prioritise bringing forward grant aid for first-time buyers to renovate derelict properties. That is really important. Will he also bring forward incentives for people who own these properties to sell them to first-time buyers?
Last of all, I welcome the Croí Cónaithe scheme and it is very important but will the Minister also ensure the provisions of this scheme are made available in respect of old cottages and farmhouses, which are our rural architectural heritage, in the open countryside as well as in towns and villages?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy. On his last point, I will very shortly be announcing the Croí Cónaithe towns and villages fund. It will focus first on the centre of towns and villages. We will see how well that works. What this will do is provide a grant in the region of €30,000 to people who want to buy properties that are either vacant or derelict to help defray the cost of doing them up and getting them livable, on the basis they are living in them. We also provide a scheme under repair and lease for social housing, which is working very well. We have increased the limits to €60,000, where people will get an allowance to do up those properties and then rent them to the local authorities on a long-term basis. The Croí Cónaithe towns and villages fund will be launched in the coming weeks and will have a very significant positive effect on tackling vacancy and helping people own their own homes.
The long-term rental issue the Deputy raised in connection with the income disregard is something that will be considered in advance of the budget.