129. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the croí cónaithe scheme the number of people who have applied, been approved, and been drawn down in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48041/26]

142. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the croí cónaithe scheme the number people have applied, been approved, and been drawn down in Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48042/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 142 together.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, provides a grant of 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 confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.

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 grant has been, and continues to be, very successful in bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes across the country.