Minister Browne announces continuation of Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant targeting ‘above shop’ vacancy
- Published on: 16 December 2025
- Last updated on: 16 December 2025
Improvements to scheme including introduction of a ‘Vacant Above the Shop’ Grant
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD today stated that tackling vacancy and dereliction and bringing homes back into use is a key priority of this Government. Minister Browne emphasised this priority as he announced the continuation of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant to 2030.
Minister Browne pointed out that he was also introducing, as part of the scheme, a new enhanced support package of up to €140,000 to bring vacant ‘above shop’ space in our cities, towns and villages into use as homes.
This will not only provide much needed homes but also play a key role in enhancing the social and economic life of our towns, villages and areas of our cities.
Minister Browne said:
“I have been very clear about my position on vacancy and dereliction. They are a blight on our village and town communities, but they also represent an opportunity for new homes. Bringing disused properties back into use gives us the ability to provide much-needed homes and improve the vibrancy and liveability of our town centres.
“It’s particularly frustrating for people to see buildings on main streets and town centres lying idle in the middle of a housing crisis – I have seen this myself as I travel around the country talking to community groups and stakeholders. That is why I am introducing a targeted measure to convert more vacant and derelict retail buildings – particularly to allow above the shop spaces to be brought into residential use.”
This extended 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.
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.
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.
ENDS
Note for Editors
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
When the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched, a target was set to make available 2,000 properties for homes by 2025. This target was extended in November 2023, to 4,000. To date over 4,340 Grants have been paid. Under the New Housing Plan Delivering Homes, Supporting Communities a further 20,000 properties will be brought into use as homes supported by the Grant.
Building on the success of the Grant to date and in line with the commitments contained in the national housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities, and the Programme for Government, the amendments and extensions to the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant announced today will support more vacant and derelict buildings and above the shop space to be brought into residential use, providing housing, supporting the regeneration of areas of cities, towns and villages and the revitalisation of communities while also supporting sustainable development objectives.
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.
Alongside the introduction of the Vacant Above the Shop Grant for conversion and refurbishment of ‘above shop’ space (where the ground floor is remaining in commercial use), additional funding of up to €40,000 on existing Grant levels (of €50,000 and €70,000) is today being announced where an entire commercial property is being converted into more than one residential unit.
A top up amount of €20,000 will be available where two units are being created, with up to €40,000 where three or more units are created. This will bring the total amount of grant support payable where such vacant / derelict buildings are being converted to three or more residential units up to €110,000. Owners of these properties may also avail of the new Expert Advice Grant – bringing the total package available to support converting these buildings into homes up to €115,000.
This aligns with the objective of using vacant buildings to create homes.
The Vacant Above the Shop Grant will be made available by the end of Q1 2026.