Over €2.5m paid in Laois to restore 48 vacant homes 

MORE than €2.5m has been paid for the restoration of 48 derelict homes in Laois, since the vacant property grant was introduced in July 2022.

Figures released today show that there were 199 grant applications and 144 approvals in the county, during the first two and a half years of the scheme.

Overall in Laois, 48 grants totalling €2,528,772 were issued up to 31 December 2024.

Figures for the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme were published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on Wednesday 26 February.

According to the national figures, over €77m has been paid out for the refurbishment of 1,449 properties around the country. The figures outline applications, approvals and payments up to the end of last December.

Under the scheme, people can receive a payment of up to €70,000 to turn a vacant or derelict house or building into a permanent home or rental property.

The grants are paid on completion of the works and submission of the required paperwork, demonstrating that the work approved has been delivered.

The department contends that grants payouts are speeding up, with the completion of more and more refurbishment projects.

Housing minister James Browne said the grant scheme is delivering ‘real results’, with over €77m already paid out to bring nearly 1,500 homes back into use in towns and villages across the country.

He said: “With over 11,000 applications received and hundreds of applications being received monthly, this initiative is making a real difference in communities across the country.

“The rapid increase in grant payments shows the scheme is growing momentum, helping to tackle vacancy and providing much-needed housing.” 

Full details are available at: '2024 Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Statistics - October to December'