€155 million in refurbishment grants restores almost 2,900 vacant and derelict homes back into use
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Growing nationwide impact of the vacant and derelict property refurbishment grant
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD has today published figures which show that over €155.2 million has been paid out to Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applicants, bringing 2,856 homes back into residential use from vacancy nationwide.
Since the scheme began, almost 10,000 applications for the grant have been approved across Ireland by the end of June this year.
There is a time lag between being awarded a grant and receiving it as grants are paid out on completion of work and the provision of necessary paperwork. The number of grants being paid out continues to rise significantly each quarter, as works on properties are completed. More than 700 grants were paid in Q2 2025 on completion of works, according to the new figures.
This represents a significant increase on the same period last year when 226 grants were paid out in Quarter 2 of 2024.
Welcoming the numbers of homes returned from vacancy, Minister for Housing James Browne TD said:
“We are in a crisis situation, and I am determined to pull every lever at my disposal to get things moving and get houses that are lying there under used or unused to become desperately needed homes.
“I am pleased at the serious impact the vacant property refurbishment grant delivers. The good work shown by this grant continues to grow, with the increase in payments reflecting the fact that more vacant and derelict properties are being brought back into use across the country. I take a very firm, indeed grim view of any properties left to lie vacant at this point in time.
“As well as delivering new homes for people and families, this grant does genuinely mark a key intervention when it comes to the liveability, accessibility and indeed safety of our cities, towns, villages and rural areas as well as helping to revitalise communities. I want people living in our urban spaces in social hubs of communities. We want thriving streets as people grow up and grow old. This is something I feel strongly about and I am pursuing with intention.”
- By the end of June this year, Donegal Council has the highest number of applications received 1,247, of which 922 have been approved and 226 paid out.
- Cork County Council has the second highest received – 1,164 applications, 904 approvals and the highest number of grants paid out 213.
- Mayo County Council is in third place with 818 applications received and 128 grants paid out on completion of works.
- A total of 13,737 applications have been received for the grant since it was launched in July 2022. Of those 9,979 applications have been approved. A total of €155.2 million has been paid out to 2,856 applicants.
The payment of grants is expected to continue at pace throughout the year as more refurbishment works reach completion.
An interactive story map developed by the Department shows the far reaching impact of the grant scheme across the country since its launch. Information includes the number of grants issued per local authority since the scheme’s launch. ‘Before and after’ images of some of the refurbishment works already carried out by grant recipients under the scheme are available to view.
Map is available at: Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics
View the latest Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Q2 2025 statistics here: