Vacant homes grant cash flow
Deputy Carrigy said some applicants for the vacant properties refurbishment grant cannot finance works upfront and suggested stage payments. The Taoiseach said he would discuss improving cash flow with the responsible Ministers, then noted stage payments could mean later reimbursement.
The vacant properties refurbishment grant has been extremely successful since it was implemented by the Government, with nearly 15,000 applications up to the end of September. There were 200 in Longford and 300 in Westmeath, and over €200 million has been paid out under the scheme. However, I find that a significant number of individuals and couples are coming to my office who are struggling to secure finance to complete the works in order to create the drawdown. Could we consider stage payments within the grant scheme to allow young couples or individuals to use the scheme more effectively?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising this. I will discuss it with the Minister, Deputy James Browne, and the Minister of State, Deputy John Cummins, in respect of whether we can improve the cash flow dimension to this.