Above The Shop Grant Will Fast Track Homes in Cork’s Towns and Villages – O’Shea  

A new and improved grant to bring vacant space over the town or village shop back into use can play a big role in delivering homes in Cork, Cork North West Fine Gael TD Deputy John Paul O’Shea has said.

The new grant supports the conversion of upper floors that have been vacant for at least two years, with a new enhanced support package of up to €140,000 to bring vacant ‘above shop’ space in our towns and villages in Cork into use as homes.

A grant of up to €95,000 will be provided where one residential unit is being created, with an additional grant of up to €20,000 where two residential units are being created and a further €20,000 where three or more residential units are being created. Furthermore, up to €5,000 will be made available towards expert advice on conversion of these properties for residential use. This will bring the total grant package available towards the refurbishment of these properties up to €140,000.

Deputy O’Shea said: “This grant will unlock homes, which can be delivered quickly in our towns and villages, without waiting years for new developments. This will not only provide much needed homes but also play a key role in enhancing the social and economic life of our towns and villages. The new grant aims to bring underutilised space above existing commercial premises into use as homes, while recognising the complexities involved. The higher grant amount will contribute towards these works.

Since its launch, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant has made a significant contribution to incentivising the refurbishment and reuse of vacant and derelict dwellings and to wider policy objectives regarding town regeneration, housing delivery, affordability and climate action. The grant continues to make a significant contribution to the increase in supply of housing available by supporting the return of vacant and derelict properties to use.

There has been significant interest in the grant since its launch, with over 15,670 applications made to local authorities to date and over €230 million of grant funding paid out across the county. Significantly, Q3 2025 saw the highest ever Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant payments, with 760 grants paid, representing a 126% increase compared to the same period last year. Since the scheme’s launch in July 2022, over 11,800 applications have been approved, underlining the growing momentum of the scheme and its impact in tackling vacancy and boosting housing supply.

Deputy O’Shea added “Every time we bring residents back to our town and village centres, we strengthen local businesses, increase footfall and improve overall safety. This expanded grant scheme is a clear example of how Government is utilising under-used space and turning it into homes for families and communities in Cork North West”

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Full list of changes being introduced today:

Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant to be extended to 2030.

Introduction of a Vacant Above the Shop Grant, with stepped funding of up to €140,000 to support bringing ‘above the shop’ vacant space into residential use, where the ground floor is remaining commercial (this includes the Expert Advice Grant – see below)

Introduction of an Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000 towards advice on conversion of above the shop space and of entire former commercial properties to residential units.

Changes to the existing Vacant Property Grant as follows:

• Aligned with the grant for conversion of ‘above the shop’ vacant space, where an entire commercial building is being converted to residential units, provide an additional €20,000 for creation of a second residential unit and a further €20,000 where three or more units are being created, which would be in addition to the existing grant of up to €50,000/€70,000 as appropriate.

• Provide local authorities with additional resources to support ongoing delivery and administration of the grant with up to €100,000 made available per annum to each local authority.

Vacant Above the Shop Grant

The new Vacant Above the Shop Grant announced today will support bringing underutilised space above existing commercial premises into use as homes. The additional amount being provided recognises the complexities involved in bringing these vacant properties back into residential use.

While the Expert Advice Grant will enable owners to get advice from the outset, on the works required.

A grant of up to €95,000 will be provided where one residential unit is being created, with an additional up to €20,000 where two residential units are being created and a further €20,000 where three or more residential units are being created. Up to €5,000 will be made available towards expert advice on conversion of these properties for residential use. This will bring the total grant package available towards the conversion or refurbishment of this ‘above shop’ space up to €140,000.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant remains open for applications.

The new Vacant Above the Shop Grant will be made available by the end of Q1 2026.