€1.6m in grant-aid has helped to renovate 32 homes in Laois

MINISTER for housing Darragh O’Brien has said the latest figures relating to the vacant property refurbishment grant show that €1.6m has already been paid for the refurbishment of 32 homes in Laois.

Since the launch of the grant just over two years ago, the minister said that 176 applications, 131 approvals and 32 grants have been issued in Laois.

Under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, successful applicants receive a payment of up to €70,000 to turn a vacant or derelict house or building into a permanent home or a rental property.

Minister O’Brien said: “Today’s figures show that the vacant property refurbishment grant has been an extremely popular and effective measure in Laois and nationally.

“It has already facilitated the return to use of hundreds of previously vacant or derelict homes, which is not only more sustainable but has resulted in increased supply and ultimately provided much-needed homes for people.

“To ensure the effective implementation of the grant, under Housing for All, this government resourced local authorities to support development of specific vacant homes teams, and I want to compliment the local authorities and these teams for their work in making the grant so successful.

“As well as providing homes for people, the scheme has also helped to bring vibrancy back into our towns and cities in a sustainable way by making using of existing housing stock,” said minister O’Brien.