The extension of grants for the refurbishment of vacant homes to include property owners who intend to rent it out has been welcomed.
The Croi Conaithe scheme provides grants of up to €30,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties to make them occupiable once again.
For homes which are confirmed to be derelict, structurally unsound and dangerous, an additional €20,000 of top-up funding is also available.
Up until recently, this funding was only available to those who intended for the vacant home to be their residence, but it is now also available for people intending to rent out the property.
Galway East TD Seán Canney said that there are thousands of vacant homes in towns, villages, and rural areas in his constituency alone.
“Up to now this grant was only available for those wishing to live in the refurbished property, but once refurbished it can now be rented out, helping to ease the housing pressure in many parts of the country.”
“With this grant there is an opportunity to bring young families back into our parishes and into our local schools. The scheme will add vibrancy to our rural communities and local sports clubs”.
The scheme, which is administered through the local authority, is now open to all properties which were built prior to 2007.
Expanding the scheme to include rental properties was one of the motions to address the housing crisis which was recently brought forward by the Regional Independents Group.
This measure was adopted during debates on the housing crisis and the end of the eviction ban back in late March.
