More than €5 million in Vacant Property Refurbishment Grants issued to Limerick projects

More than €5 million in Vacant Property Refurbishment Grants issued to Limerick projects

The latest figures published by Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage show that more than 5 million Euros in Vacant Property Refurbishment Grants have been issued in Limerick since the introduction of the scheme

The latest figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the first half of 2025 have shown an increase in the number of grants issued for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme in Limerick with more than €1 million issued in 2025.

Minister James Browne TD has published figures which show that more than €155.2 million has been paid out to Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applicants, bringing 2,856 homes back into residential use from vacancy nationwide.

Since the scheme began, almost 10,000 applications for the grant have been approved across Ireland by the end of June this year.

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In the second quarter of 2025, from April to the end of June, Limerick City and County Council received a total of 36 applications with 32 being approved by the local authority and 18 grants being issued on completion of works in the period.

Throughout the lifetime of the scheme, Limerick has seen more the 570 applications made with 408 approved and 103 grants issued on completion of works worth a total of €5,360,886.

The latest figures show an increase in scheme completions, with just 32 total completions for the same period in 2024, to a total of 103 for January to the end of June 2025.

Welcome the latest figures nationally, Minister for Housing James Browne TD says he is “determined to pull every lever” at his disposal to “get things moving” with the refurbishment of unused homes.

He said, “We are in a crisis situation, and I am determined to pull every lever at my disposal to get things moving and get houses that are lying there under used or unused to become desperately needed homes.

“I am pleased at the serious impact the vacant property refurbishment grant delivers. The good work shown by this grant continues to grow, with the increase in payments reflecting the fact that more vacant and derelict properties are being brought back into use across the country. I take a very firm, indeed grim view of any properties left to lie vacant at this point in time.

“As well as delivering new homes for people and families, this grant does genuinely mark a key intervention when it comes to the liveability, accessibility and indeed safety of our cities, towns, villages and rural areas as well as helping to revitalise communities. I want people living in our urban spaces in social hubs of communities. We want thriving streets as people grow up and grow old. This is something I feel strongly about and I am pursuing with intention.”

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant offers financial assistance to individuals and families refurbishing vacant or derelict homes for use as their principal residence. The scheme is part of the national Housing for All strategy and is aimed at addressing housing shortages by bringing underused housing stock back into use.

The latest figures place Limerick among the more active local authorities nationally, placing it within the top 10 of 31 local authorities nationally availing on the scheme.

Nationally, a total of 13,737 applications have been received for the grant since it was launched in July 2022. Of those 9,979 applications have been approved. A total of €155.2 million has been paid out to 2,856 applicants.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is a payment you can get if you are turning a vacant house or building into your permanent home or a rental property. A grant of up to €50,000 is available. If the refurbishment costs exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available.