1837. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has assessed the potential impact on Government policies relating to regeneration, urban renewal and the repurposing of existing building stock of excluding apartments created through the conversion of former commercial buildings from remediation supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62095/26]

The new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund, which has replaced the former Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), supports urban regeneration projects and the development of sustainable communities through the provision of part-funding for applicant-led projects. In doing so, it contributes significantly to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the National Development Plan (NDP).

There were three calls for funding made under the former URDF resulting in the allocation of €1.9 billion of funding. While Calls 1 and 2 were for specific regeneration projects, Call 3 is particularly focussed on addressing long-term vacancy and dereliction while supporting the key objectives of Housing for All and Town Centre First.

Additionally, I announced a new round of funding (“Round 1”) under the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund in March 2026 with applications for this funding received by 1 May. The assessment of these projects is expected to be completed later this summer.

Responsibility for the location and composition of applications for funding, as well as their advancement through the various stages of planning, development and completion remains, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant local authority.

My Department recognises the important contribution that the regeneration and reuse of existing buildings can make to addressing housing need, tackling vacancy and dereliction, and supporting the revitalisation of urban centres. Call 3, for example, empowers Local Authorities to acquire eligible properties, including residential and commercial properties, and to undertake work to de-risk or improve those properties for reuse or resale.

My Department is conscious of the importance of ensuring that housing, remediation, regeneration and urban renewal policies operate in a coherent manner. I recognise that developments which were lawfully converted to residential use may raise broader policy considerations in the context of apartment defects remediation and the safety and well-being of their residents. Accordingly, I have asked my Department to examine whether, and if so how, such developments might be included in the forthcoming Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme legislation.