422. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the key measures taken to tackle vacancy and dereliction since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53473/26]

Working to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan aims to ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated and effective and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.

A key measure in the Housing Plan is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (VPRG), introduced in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe fund. The grant provides up to €70,000 for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.

As set out in the Housing Plan, a new Vacant Above the Shop Grant has been introduced to support the refurbishment and conversion of above the shop vacant space for use as homes. A package of up to €140,000 is available in cases where vacant above the shop space is being converted/refurbished for residential use and the commercial element is remaining, including a new Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000.

The new Vacant Above the Shop Grant and Expert Advice Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe Town Fund, were launched and opened for applications in all local authorities on 1 April 2026. Application forms and information on the Grants available from each local authority and at the following link: www.gov.ie/vacancy

The CPO Activation Programme, launched in April 2023, requires a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to identifying vacant and derelict properties and engaging with owners to bring those properties back into use. This includes the active use of compulsory purchase powers by local authorities where engagement with property owners has not been successful. My Department has published CPO Activation Programme data for 2023-2025 on its website, which can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/compulsory-purchase-orders-cpo-activation-programme/

Funding is available to local authorities through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund Call 3, the Social Housing Investment Programme, from the Housing Finance Agency or local authorities' own internal resources, to finance the acquisition of vacant and derelict properties, including compulsorily.

To further strengthen our approach to tackling this issue, a Derelict Property Tax was announced in Budget 2026 and it is intended to introduce legislation providing for the tax in 2026. When it comes into effect, the tax will replace the Derelict Sites Levy and will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners. Levies under the Derelict Sites Act that remain outstanding when the new tax is introduced will remain the responsibility of each local authority to collect.

As also announced in Budget 2026, the Living City Initiative has now been extended to 2030, and expanded it to include residential properties built before 1975 and in the National Planning Framework growth centres of Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo. This expansion highlights the Government’s commitment to regional development and revitalising towns beyond the main cities.

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 to each local authority to reinforce their capacity 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.

The Housing Plan committed to providing additional support to local authorities for the administration of the VPRG. In December 2025 the Government approved additional annual funding of up to €100,000 for local authorities in this regard.  In June my Department contacted all local authorities advising them of the process to draw down additional funding being provided for grant administration.

Vacant Homes Officers play a vital role in working with property owners to ensure these properties are brought back into use. They work closely with Town Regeneration Officers and other relevant personnel in their local authority to actively promote the wide range of schemes in place to address vacancy and dereliction, such as the Repair and Leasing Scheme, Buy and Renew Scheme, the Living City Initiative, Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE) and planning exemptions for certain vacant commercial premises.

The Plan's new measures build on the significant work that has been done and outcomes achieved over the past number of years, as well as improving and expanding existing schemes. These initiatives are working and vacancy levels are declining across the country.

I firmly believe the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes across the country.