1070. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce interim measures or conditional approvals to allow micro-company owners to qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant without incurring significant tax liabilities, solely to qualify for the grant ahead of the proposed policy review in the second half of 2026; when any structural change to allow for this will take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42501/26]

1099. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the efforts being undertaken to streamline the vacant property refurbishment grant application process to ensure that decisions are returned in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42904/26]

1124. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is scope in Budget 2027 to broaden the criteria of eligibility for the Vacant and Derelict Property Grant to restore farm outbuildings and make them available for residential use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43501/26]

1167. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications for vacant property refurbishment grants for each local authority, in tabular form; the number granted; the average timeframe for decision across each local authority; the timeframe for approval of payment and timeframe to payment; and the timeframe for final inspection. [44164/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1070, 1099, 1124 and 1167 together.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, has been a key measure in addressing vacancy and dereliction across the country. The Grant provides 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 derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.

Applications for the grant can be made by named individuals who own the property for which the grant is being applied for or who are actively engaged in purchasing the property. Eligible properties must be built before 2008 and includes vacant commercial or public use buildings. Agricultural buildings are not eligible for the grant.

At end Q1 2026, over 17,400 applications have been received, over 13,100 approved, with more than 5,300 grants paid out following completion of works, totalling almost €285 million of grant funding paid out across the county.

Under the new Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, a commitment was given to provide additional support for the refurbishment and conversion of above the shop vacant space for use as homes. The Government approved the introduction of a Vacant Above the Shop Grant with a package of up to €140,000 to be made available in cases where vacant above the shop space is being converted/refurbished for residential use and the commercial element is remaining. The additional grant amount for these properties recognises the complexities involved in bringing this space into use. The package includes an Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000. The new Vacant Above the Shop Grant and Expert Advice Grant were launched on 1 April 2026, with applications and information on the Grants available from each local authority and at the following link: www.gov.ie/vacancy.

In the Housing Plan a commitment was given to exploring an extension of the Vacant Above the Shop Grant for such properties that are owned by small (micro) companies. This work is now being undertaken. There are a range of measures in place to address vacancy and support urban regeneration, which can be availed of by companies and undertakings, such as the Repair and Leasing Scheme, the Living City Initiative and planning exemptions for the conversion of certain commercial properties into residential use.

The Grant is kept under review and any changes to its operation will be communicated in a timely manner.

Prior to a decision being made on a grant application, the local authority reviews the application to ensure that the grant conditions are met and the required supporting documentation has been submitted. They will then arrange for a site visit to be carried out. Once this process is complete the local authority will make their decision on the grant application which is then issued to the applicant.

The average application processing time i.e. the time from receipt of the application to a decision being made by local authorities over the last 12 months is 67 days. This time period is reduced in cases where a completed application, accompanied by required documentation is received by the local authority. In 2025 the median time taken from final inspection to a grant payment issuing was 12 weeks. The Department does not hold information on the average timeframe for a second inspection.

All 31 local authorities have a full-time Vacant Homes Officer in place as a key point of contact in their Vacant Homes Office teams. My Department provides annual funding of €60,000 to each local authority to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction. Vacant Homes Officers are supported in their role by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, the Housing Agency and through the Vacant Homes Officer Network.

My Department has also provided €180,000 to each local authority to support processing Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applications. Technical and legal support is also available to support local authorities in administering the grant through the Housing Agency.

The new housing plan committed to providing additional support to local authorities for the administration of the grant. In December 2025 the Government approved additional annual funding of up to €100,000 for local authorities in this regard. In April my Department contacted all local authorities advising them of the process to seek additional funding available for grant administration.

While my Department has a role in strategic workforce planning within the local government sector, Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.

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 Q1 2026 grant statistics were published on 24 April 2026. This data can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#2025.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant has been very successful since its introduction and is making a real difference in urban and rural areas, supporting bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes.