Over 3,000 vacant or derelict homes brought back into use in 2025 through Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
- Published on: 26 January 2026
- Last updated on: 26 January 2026
Over 3,000 vacant or derelict homes brought back into use in 2025 through Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
- Rate of grant payments more than doubles compared to 2024
- More than 4,500 disused homes now back into use since start of scheme
- Donegal County Council has the most applications, approvals and payments
More than 3,000 previously disused homes were returned to use in 2025 under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant according to figures released today by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
As the scheme continues to gain momentum, the pace of delivery has also increased significantly, with the rate of grant payments in 2025 more than doubling compared to 2024. In total last year, 3,066 grants were paid out compared to 1,349 in 2024. This represents an increase of 127%.
Overall, since the launch of the scheme in July 2022, up to December 2025; 16,607 applications have been received, 12,096 approved and 4,514 grants paid out on completion of works to a total of almost €247m.
Welcoming the new figures, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD said:
“This grant is tackling the scourge of dereliction and vacancy head-on, and the surge in vacancy grant payments underlines its growing success in bringing homes back into use across our villages, towns and cities. As more and more applications are approved, I fully anticipate this trend to continue and more previously disused properties will become permanent homes for people.
“In a time of housing shortage, leaving properties vacant is simply unacceptable. That’s why, last month alongside extending the grant until 2030, I also introduced an enhanced support package of up to €140,000 to transform vacant ‘above shop’ spaces into homes- revitalising communities and creating sustainable housing. The extended support package will be made available at the end of Q1 2026.
“Tackling vacancy and dereliction is not just a priority, it’s a necessity to ensure existing properties are put to use for housing.”
Donegal County Council has the highest number of applications (1,430), approvals (1,065) and payments (316), followed by Cork County Council (1,355 applications, 1,065 approvals, 316 payments) and Dublin City Council (1,007 applications, 811 approvals and 317 payments).
Under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, you can receive a payment of up to €70,000 to turn a vacant or derelict house or former commercial building into your permanent home or a rental property. The grants are paid upon the completion of the works and the submission of the required paperwork demonstrating the work approved has been delivered.