Latest news with #VacantPropertyRefurbishmentGrant
Irish Independent
21-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Calls to fix ‘cumbersome' Limerick housing grants failing first-time city buyers
'These grants are not working,' said Social Democrats' Elisa O'Donovan, 'we need more people living in our city centre.' 'I know so many people who want to live in the city centre. However, it is so expensive for them to do up a derelict property or an old Georgian house,' she added. Referring to the Living City Initiative, she said: 'The number of successful applicants for that initiative and for that grant has gone from 24 successful applicants in 2022 to only nine last year, and that's both for residential and commercial.' On other schemes, she added: 'Only one private residence in the metropolitan area was awarded funding last year' through the Historic Structures Fund. 'The only people that I know who have been successful in getting this grant in Limerick city are property developers or landlords,' she continued, referring to the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which can get a prospective applicant up to €70,000. 'I just know one person who was eligible for this to have it as their primary residence, but then eventually they rented it out, and now they actually have multiple properties within the city centre.' She concluded: 'I believe we should write to the government to ensure that first-time buyers, those who need that €70,000 to renovate a city centre property and make it their home, are prioritised for this funding, so we can create a more liveable city.' 'These houses in the city centre, they're not just investments for developers and landlords. They are possible homes for people,' said Cllr Shane Hickey-O'Mara, who seconded the motion. 'We need life in the city desperately.' Cllr Maria Donoghue added: 'A lot of our grant schemes for capital works are quite onerous and cumbersome. 'You have to spend the money up front before you can get the grant. I support anything that brings life into the city, but if you need the money up front in order to access the money, well then it's a circuitous and ineffective grant and we should look at it.' 'Anything that brings life back into the city and helps us become a liveable city, it has to be commended,' said Cllr Ursula Gavan.
Irish Independent
17-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Four fixer uppers with huge potential on Westmeath property market for under €200,000
Even though it is not the cheapest, the Westmeath property market does offer an excellent balance of affordability and proximity to amenities and transport links setting it apart from other counties when it comes to getting more bang for your buck. The Westmeath property market is also home to properties that are teaming with potential to become dream homes but are in need of some renovation. Check out four of these fixer uppers on the market for under €200,000. Ballard, Walshestown, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath (€199,950): The two-bedroom bungalow is set on approximately 0.3 acres in the peaceful and picturesque area of Ballard, Slanemore, just outside Mullingar. Oozing with potential, this property comprises a bright and spacious living/dining room, a separate kitchen, two generously sized double bedrooms with a view of Lough Owel from the rear bedroom, as well a family bathroom. While the residence is in need of renovation, this home offers potential buyers the opportunity to create a comfortable residence tailored to your taste and needs. Situated in a tranquil rural setting, the property also offers ample outdoor space and ideal for those seeking privacy while still being in close proximity of Mullingar town and all its amenities. It is important to note the property may qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, making it an attractive option for both homeowners looking to restore and modernise this idyllic country home. Milltown (€170,000): The derelict three-bedroom farmhouse is located just outside the village of Milltown approximately 15km from Mullingar. Having been vacant for many years, the property does require complete renovation in order to bring it to a habitable condition, however, it offers immense potential as a family home. The accommodation comprises of a kitchen/dining room, sitting room, living room at ground floor level with four bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor all of which are in poor condition in need of extensive renovation. ADVERTISEMENT The property is set on a 0.6 acre site and has a large haybarn to the side and further outbuildings to the rear and is located in a rural but accessible location just off the R392 with easy access to Mullingar and Ballymahon. Rathwire Lower, Killucan, Co. Westmeath (€140,000): The one-bed semi detached property is set on a large c. 0.55 acre site in an ideal location at the edge of Rathwire village. The land is currently "Zoned Residential" and offers great potential to further develop the site subject to the necessary planning consent. The house comprises of one bedroom at first floor level with a kitchen, sitting room and bathroom at ground floor level all of which are in reasonable condition but would benefit from modernisation. The lands to the side and rear of the house are currently zoned "Residential" under the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021 -2027. Killucan is an excellent residential location with many services and amenities close by such as primary and secondary schools, shops, a creche and the Royal Canal Greenway. The M4/M6 at Kinnegad is just seven kilometres away and the town of Mullingar is just a 15 minute drive. Hiskinstown, Delvin, Co. Westmeath (€75,000): This two-bed property incorporates an extended country cottage and is estimated to stand on in excess of one-third of an acre. It requires extensive refurbishment and retrofitting in order to increase it to a level of modern comfort. The fundamentals of the house are good and it sits large site with mains water and electricity connections. It is also set in a convenient location, almost opposite St Tolas National School, among other positive attributes. Additionally, the property has been vacant for more than two years and is eligible for a range of state-funded housing improvement grants. As of May 1, 2023, amongst the Government initiatives, there's up to €70,000, including €20,000 Derelict top-up, available through the Croí Cónaithe scheme and up to €26,750 under the SEAI Better Energy Home Scheme. Eligibility is subject to qualification and conditions and interested parties should make their own independent enquiries in order to determine their applicability, availability, conditionality and qualification. Set in the idyllic Westmeath countryside, the property is also conveniently located approximately 150 metres distant from St Tolas National School and a further 150 metres or so from the N52. It is also in close proximity to the Kells/Mullingar Road, otherwise the Dundalk/Limerick Road and the villages of Delvin and Killucan are some 4km and 8.5km distant respectively. It is also close to the county town of Mullingar, Westmeath's administrative centre and Kells town is approximately 26km away, with the M3 motorway conveniently adjacent.
Irish Independent
08-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Assurances sought on plans to address Arklow dereliction and long-term vacancies
Addressing the chamber, Brennan welcomed nationwide investment made via the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, but questioned the disparity in investment between local authorities and called on vacant property owners to simply 'use it or lose it'. Describing dereliction as a scourge that is having 'a detrimental effect on the social fabric of our towns and villages', he cited Arklow as an example of a town where long-term vacancies and dereliction are 'a missed opportunity' during the housing crisis. 'Just take where I spent all my working life, in Arklow – 25 years there; a vibrant town, a port, main street buzzing,' Brennan remarked. 'If you go down that street today, it's a different story. Myself, my wife and my two kids walked down that street on the Saturday before Christmas. We were the only four people on the street – the Saturday before Christmas. It was absolutely frightening. 'But I do see green shoots in that town. I have to give credit to the existing owners of premises there that tried to keep the main street going, but we need the supports. 'We have got engagement from the local authority, from the shop owners, from the chamber, and it is key that we link all these people together and get them to drive the town on. 'There are huge green shoots for that town, but the problems in Arklow are being replicated right across Ireland.' Highlighting dereliction throughout the country, Brennan welcomed measures already in place but asked for greater supports and incentives alongside increased penalties for property owners who do not engage or cooperate with their local authority. 'The blight of dereliction and long-term vacancy is so prevalent throughout our country, and on the CSO figures for 2022, there are 163,000 derelict properties registered,' he said. 'Dereliction should be a source of national embarrassment. We pride ourselves as a hotbed of tourism, yet we are welcoming our tourists into towns that are falling down around themselves. 'Even more importantly, we are in the middle of a housing crisis and are fighting tooth and nail to build more houses, while there are tens of thousands of properties standing vacant and derelict on every street corner.' It's been a busy period for Brennan, who was recently appointed to the three key Oireachtas Committees – Foreign Affairs, Enterprise and Tourism and Arts, Sports and Media – which he said will involve work that will be 'of immense importance to the people of south Wicklow and north Wexford'. 'Foreign Affairs is viewed as a critically important committee in light of the current world instability, and my international experience in Sri Lanka will be invaluable in this regard,' he said. 'I have 30 years of experience in business, and the hotel industry will strongly inform my input to the Enterprise and Tourism Committee, which will cover many areas that are of vital importance to the country, particularly regarding current global tariffs and the potential fallout. 'Arts, Sports and Media is also of huge significance, and no doubt my involvement and interest with numerous clubs in this constituency have been taken into account. 'I am looking forward to commencing the work and to deciding on priority areas, so that we can embark on our work plan with focus and determination.'
Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
280 home owners approved for refurbishment grant in Wexford as minister tackles dereliction across county
The grant is also available for former commercial or public use buildings which are being converted into residential homes and above the shop type conversions, subject to appropriate planning permission/ planning exemption. Publishing figures which show that, out of 436 applications, 280 individuals have been approved for the grant in Co Wexford, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, said the scheme was 'revitalising communities'. 'The momentum of this grant continues to build, with another significant increase in grants being paid on completion of works as more vacant and derelict properties are brought back into use as homes for people across Co Wexford,' said the minister. 'The grant is making a significant and important contribution to cities, towns, villages and rural areas, supporting people to bring these vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes and in tandem with that - helping to revitalise communities.' Overall, since the launch of the grant in July 2022, in Wexford there have been 436 applications, 280 approvals and 61 grants issued up to March 31 of this year. The number of grants being paid out continues to rise significantly each quarter, as works on properties are completed. Nine grants were issued in Wexford in Q1 2025 on completion of works, according to the new figures. Nationally, over €112 million has been paid out to Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applicants, bringing more than 2,000 homes back into residential use from vacancy nationwide. More than 12,400 applications for the grant have been received across Ireland by the end of March this year.
Agriland
28-04-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Over €112m paid out under vacant property refurbishment grant
Over €112 million has been now paid out under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applicants, bringing more than 2,000 homes back into residential use. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne said that more than 12,400 applications for the grant have been received across Ireland by the end of March this year. The number of grants being paid out continues to rise significantly each quarter, as works on properties are completed. More than 630 grants were issued in quarter one (Q1) 2025 on completion of works, according to the new figures published today (Monday, April 28). This represents a significant increase on the same period last year when 146 grants were paid out in Q1 2024. Vacant property Minister James Browne TD said that 'the momentum of this grant continues to build'. 'The grant is making a significant and important contribution to cities, towns, villages and rural areas, supporting people to bring these vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes and in tandem with that – helping to revitalise communities,' he added. By the end of March this year, Donegal County Council has the highest number of applications received with 1,114, of which 811 have been approved. Cork County has the second highest received (1,063), approved (797) and the highest number of grants paid out (152). Mayo County Council is in third place with 740 applications received and 116 grants paid out on completion of works. A total of 12,404 applications have been received for the grant since it was launched in July 2022. Of those, 8,652 applications have been approved. A total of €112.5 million has been paid out to 2,096 applicants. Minister Browne said that the payment of grants is expected to continue at pace throughout the year as more refurbishment works reach completion. The following table provides a full breakdown of the applications received, approved, and rejected, along with the number of grants issued by local authorities across the country to date: Local Authority Applications Received Applications Approved Applications Rejected Grants issued on completion of works Total value of grants issued Carlow County Council 127 75 1 24 €1,214,688 Cavan County Council 395 308 10 55 €3,092,857 Clare County Council 548 362 34 96 €5,532,006 Cork City Council 398 301 10 95 €4,975,141 Cork County Council 1,063 797 82 152 €8,220,217 Donegal County Council 1,114 811 32 139 €7,451,941 Dublin City Council 718 462 36 80 €3,720,448 Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council 312 286 3 98 €5,449,158 Fingal County Council 198 132 17 42 €2,040,557 Galway City Council 110 90 5 19 €890,009 Galway County Council 545 327 26 26 €1,363,939 Kerry County Council 583 306 115 54 €2,965,350 Kildare County Council 314 241 19 115 €6,364,301 Kilkenny County Council 269 190 4 34 €1,819,388 Laois County Council 215 162 9 67 €3,680,647 Leitrim County Council 239 178 5 52 €2,584,349 Limerick City and County Council 526 372 15 84 €4,334,051 Longford County Council 172 124 20 18 €1,027,811 Louth County Council 268 193 16 55 €2,945,959 Mayo County Council 740 496 55 116 €6,040,700 Meath County Council 249 151 1 40 €2,320,772 Monaghan County Council 311 210 12 67 €3,947,453 Offaly County Council 210 153 3 37 €2,008,631 Roscommon County Council 397 213 15 66 €3,913,228 Sligo County Council 393 332 16 86 €4,437,318 South Dublin County Council 177 145 9 48 €2,399,883 Tipperary County Council 588 449 33 131 €7,064,277 Waterford City and County Council 319 184 11 50 €2,689,380 Westmeath County Council 260 183 5 58 €2,988,309 Wexford County Council 436 280 3 61 €3,310,823 Wicklow County Council 210 139 30 31 €1,655,093 Total Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applications by local authority to March 31, 2025
