688. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant and derelict residential and potentially residential properties identified nationally; the number of these properties which have been brought back into use in each of the past five years, 2021 to date in 2026; and the number currently being progressed for residential use. [64678/26]

689. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant and derelict buildings in Limerick city that have been identified as potentially suitable for residential use; the number that have been brought back into use for housing in each of the past five years; and the schemes available to assist owners in converting such properties. [64684/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 689 together.

Working to end vacancy and dereliction is a key priority in the Government's new 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 vacancy and dereliction to an end.

Data in relation to vacancy is available from a number of sources such as the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Census 2022 and GeoDirectory. While there are varying indicators of vacancy and dereliction based on different sources, the overall trend in vacancy and dereliction levels is downwards.

The CSO has developed a new statistical release on residential vacancy, based on low or zero electricity consumption over one year, using data from the ESB Networks. The report, Residential Vacancy Based on Metered Electricity Consumption 2024 (www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/fp/fp-rvmec/residentialvacancybasedonmeteredelectricityconsumption2024/keyfindings/) published in March 2026, estimates 70,148 vacant dwelling end of 2024, a vacancy rate of 3.2%, down from 72,254 vacant dwelling, a vacancy rate of 3.3% end of 2023. For Limerick City and County Council, the rate was 3.5% at the end of 2024, down from 3.7%, at the end of 2023.

In the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report (www.geodirectory.ie/news/number-of-residential-buildings-under-construction-topped-30,000-in-june) for Q2 2026, the vacancy rate across Ireland was estimated to be 3.7%, with County Limerick's vacancy rate estimated to be 3.6%.

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.

Vacant Homes Officers play a vital role in working with property owners to ensure these properties are brought back into use. They are actively promoting the wide range of schemes in place to address vacancy and dereliction, such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, Vacant Above the Shop Grant, 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 Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe fund, is one of the key schemes in place. 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.

To the end of Q2 2026, there are 14,377 applications for the grant have been approved and owners are working through the renovations to bring these properties back into residential use. A total of 6,312 grant payments have so far been issued on completion of property refurbishment bringing these properties back into use. Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#2026.

Further statistics for properties brought back into use are published on my Department's website, including through the Repair and Leasing scheme, URDF Call 3, and planning permission exemptions for certain vacant commercial properties.

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.

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.