‘Blight’ of vacant properties - Smith
The Minister for Housing is being put under pressure to bring more vacant properties back into use.
Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, during parliamentary questions recently, asked Minister Darragh O’Brien to outline supports to bring derelict houses back to habitable use.
The local deputy said that towns and villages of all sizes across the constituency face the “blight” of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, “could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas”.
Responding, Minister O’Brien outlined a number of schemes and measures in this area.
He cited the Town Centre First policy, as well as a drive to ensure that the position of vacant homes officer in all local authorities is a full-time role.
“The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is supporting the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties through Vacant Homes Refurbishment Grant, which I launched in July, and is supporting the provision of serviced sites for housing to attract people to build their own homes through the Ready to Build Scheme, which I launched in September,” he further revealed.
A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence. A maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available in cases where the property is deemed derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.
“In addition, we are introducing a new programme for the CPO of vacant properties for resale on the open market. “We have reformed the Fair Deal Scheme to remove disincentives to selling or renting unused homes.
“The Department of Finance is working on introducing a Vacant Property Tax in the near future” outlined Minister O’Brien.
He said that local authorities are being further supported to engage in targeted acquisitions of vacant and under-utilised properties under the Buy and Renew element of the social housing programme to support town and village renewal. “We are also supporting local authorities to drive expanded take-up of the enhanced Repair and Leasing Scheme,” he added.
Thanking the Minister, Deputy Smith said that the expanded Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides a “fantastic opportunity” for more people to refurbish vacant properties.
“This scheme, which shows Fianna Fáil in Government’s commitment to tackling housing, provides real practical help. It helps address vacancy through sustainable reuse of buildings, it helps revitalise our communities and, most importantly, it helps more people to own their own home,” said Deputy Smith.