Minister Browne announces grants to convert vacant buildings and above shop spaces into new homes
- Published on: 1 April 2026
- Last updated on: 1 April 2026
Expansion of scheme will facilitate conversion of vacant commercial buildings and above shop vacant spaces into much needed homes
First time in the history of the State that this type of grant will be given to end vacancy above shops
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne today announced new targeted measures aimed at unlocking unused spaces in cities, towns and villages by converting vacant and derelict buildings and unused above the shop areas into residential homes.
The new measures will build on the success of a series of anti-vacancy and dereliction initiatives including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which has already brought 5,200 vacant and derelict homes back into use since its launch in July 2022.
The new initiatives are:
- The Vacant Above the Shop Grant, which will provide funding of up to €135,000 to support bringing above the shop vacant spaces into residential use, where the commercial element is remaining.
- Targeted Top-Up of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, aligning it with the new grant for conversion of above the shop vacant spaces, with additional funding of up €40,000 where entire former commercial buildings are being converted into two or more residential units.
- The Expert Advice Grant, funding of up to €5,000 towards professional advice on conversion of above the shop spaces and of entire former commercial properties to residential units.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD said:
“People are understandably frustrated, I am frustrated, when we see properties on our main streets and in our town centres lying idle. We are in a housing crisis, and in reacting to that, we have to pull every lever to unlock housing. We want living towns and cities that are bustling with people and families, who shop, gather and socialise in their local areas.
“These new measures are designed to bring more of these buildings back into productive use and provide much‑needed homes for people to live in, in their own communities.
“By supporting the repurposing of these buildings, we are removing barriers and helping to deliver new homes more quickly. These changes reflect the Government’s ongoing commitment to tackling the housing supply shortage and revitalising communities.
“I have expanded an existing grant and introduced new ones. As a result, up to €135,000 is now available to support the conversion of above the shop spaces into residential units and up to €115,000 for the conversion of entire vacant commercial buildings into homes in order to get these units moving out of vacancy. Both grants can also be topped up with an additional €5,000 Expert Advice Grant. I want these supports actioned and used in towns across Ireland without delay.”
The range of measures being taken to tackle vacancy and dereliction are having tangible success. The most recent data published by the CSO on residential vacancy shows a national vacancy rate of 3.2% at the end of 2024, down from 3.6% in 2022.
For more information visit www.gov.ie/vacancy
ENDS
Note to editor
The Vacant Above the Shop Grant: A grant of up to €95,000 will be available where one unit is created, up to €115,000 will be available where two units are created and up to €135,000 will be available where three or more residential units are created ‘above the shop’.
Where the €5,000 Expert Advice Grant is also availed of, this will provide a total package of between €100,000 and €140,000 towards bringing ‘above the shop’ vacant spaces into residential use, depending on the number of residential units created.
The grant will be available for buildings in cities, towns and villages with vacant above the shop space (vacant for two years), where the ground floor is remaining commercial.
It is not required that the commercial ground floor of the premises be vacant - as the Government wants to support the ongoing commercial businesses to continue in their local area.
Expert Advice Grant: €5,000 Expert Advice Grant will be made available to help towards the engagement of professional advice on conversion of above the shop space into residential units. This will support property owners to receive expert advice on the nature of works required.
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Top-Up: Top-up of up to €40,000 on existing Vacant Property Refurbishment levels of €50,000 and €70,000 where an entire former commercial or public use building is being converted into more than one residential unit.
Currently, where an entire vacant commercial building is being converted into residential units, one Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant payment up to €70,000 is available.
Under the new top-up grant, in addition to receiving the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant of €50,000 or €70,000, an additional €20,000 for a second residential unit and a further €20,000 where three or more units are created will be payable.
This will bring the total amount of grant support payable up to €110,000. In conjunction with the €5,000 Expert Advice Grant, a total package of up to €115,000 is being made available.