Buy and Renew Scheme Expansion Delivering More Social Homes and Tackling Vacancy – O’Shea

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul O’Shea has welcomed the continued expansion of the Buy and Renew Scheme, which is helping to increase the supply of social housing while also addressing dereliction and long-term vacancy across the country.

The Buy and Renew Scheme is one of a number of initiatives operated by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage aimed at bringing vacant and derelict properties back into productive use as high-quality social homes. The scheme supports both housing delivery and urban and rural regeneration by ensuring existing buildings are reused rather than left idle or derelict.

In April 2026, the Department introduced a significant expansion of the scheme with updated arrangements formally communicated to all Local Authorities.

The expanded scheme continues to support delivery of social housing by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, while also introducing a new delivery channel. Under the revised arrangements, building contractors can now directly acquire and refurbish long-term vacant and derelict properties, significantly increasing the capacity to bring disused buildings back into active use.

Funding for the scheme is provided through the Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) for Local Authorities, and through the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) for Approved Housing Bodies. Projects are approved and funded on a case-by-case basis under the Single Approval Process.

To date, more than 1,300 properties have been brought back into use as social housing through the Buy and Renew Scheme, supported through SHIP and CAS funding streams.

Deputy O’Shea said the expansion represents a “practical and targeted response to vacancy and housing need,” adding that it will help accelerate delivery and ensure more homes are provided more quickly in communities across the country.

Deputy O’Shea added “This expansion of the Buy and Renew Scheme is a major step forward in tackling vacancy and dereliction while increasing the supply of social housing. By broadening the delivery model to include contractors directly, alongside Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, we are unlocking more capacity to bring empty properties back into use faster and more efficiently.”

He added that the continued progress of the scheme demonstrates the Government’s commitment to addressing housing supply challenges while revitalising towns and villages.

Fine Gael supports ongoing measures that increase housing delivery and improve the use of existing housing stock as part of a broader national housing strategy led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.