Over 3,000 Vacant or Derelict Homes Brought Back into use in 2025 through Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant

• Rate of grant payments more than doubles compared to 2024

• More than 4,500 disused homes now back into use since start of scheme

• Cork County Council has approved 1,065 applications – 316 applicants paid out with over €17m paid out to date

More than 3,000 previously disused homes were returned to use in 2025 under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, according to figures released today by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

As the scheme continues to gain momentum, the pace of delivery has increased significantly, with the rate of grant payments in 2025 more than doubling compared to 2024. In total last year, 3,066 grants were paid out compared to 1,349 in 2024 — an increase of 127%. Overall, since the launch of the scheme in July 2022 up to December 2025, 16,607 applications have been received, 12,096 approved and 4,514 grants paid out on completion of works, amounting to almost €247 million.

Welcoming the new figures, Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea said “This grant is tackling the scourge of dereliction and vacancy head-on, and the surge in vacancy grant payments underlines its growing success in bringing homes back into use across our villages, towns and cities. As more applications are approved, I fully anticipate this positive trend will continue, with more previously disused properties becoming permanent homes for individuals and families.

Deputy O’Shea added “In terms of Cork County, applications are flying in. Cork County Council have received over 1,300 applications to date with 1,065 approved. Applicants in Cork County have been paid over €17m to date which is excellent news. In the midst of an ongoing housing shortage, leaving properties vacant is simply unacceptable. That is why the Government has extended the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant until 2030 and introduced an enhanced support package of up to €140,000 to help transform vacant ‘above-the-shop’ spaces into homes — revitalising town centres, supporting local economies and delivering sustainable housing. This extended support package will be available from the end of Q1 2026”.

“Tackling vacancy and dereliction is not just a priority — it is essential to ensuring our existing housing stock is used to its full potential. Under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, applicants can receive up to €70,000 to refurbish a vacant or derelict house or former commercial building for use as a permanent home or rental property” concluded Deputy O’Shea

Grants are paid on completion of works, subject to the submission of the required documentation confirming that the approved works have been carried out.