Over 60 homes in Laois brought back into use following government grants

ACCORDING to the Minister for Housing James Browne €3.6 million in Vacant Property Refurbishment Grants have been paid out in Laois to bring 67 homes back into use.

He said the figures show in Laois that since the launch of the grant in July 2022 there have been 215 applications of which 162 were approved and 67 received grant aid up to 31 March this year.

Minister Browne said that over €112 million has been paid out to Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applicants nationwide, bringing more than 2,000 homes back into residential use from vacancy.

More than 12,400 applications for the grant have been received across Ireland by the end of March this year.

A new interactive story map has also been launched which, the minister says, “shows the far reaching impact of the grant scheme across the country since its launch.” The information includes the number of grants issued per local authority since the scheme’s launch. Before and after images of some of the refurbishment works already carried out by grant recipients under the scheme are available to view.

Minister Browne said that the figures also show that the number of grants being paid out continues to rise significantly each quarter, as works on properties are completed. Nineteen grants were issued in Laois in the first three month of this year on completion of works.

Minister Browne said: “The momentum of this grant continues to build, with another significant increase in grants being paid on completion of works as more vacant and derelict properties are brought back into use as homes for people across Laois.

“The grant is making a significant and important contribution to cities, towns, villages and rural areas, supporting people to bring these vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes and in tandem with that - helping to revitalise communities.” 

The payment of grants is expected to continue at pace throughout the year as more refurbishment works reach completion.