580 applications for house refurbishment grants approved in Tipperary

580 applications for money to renovate potential homes which are derelict or vacant for some time have been approved across County Tipperary.

Latest figures show that €200,047,784million has been distributed nationally through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, successfully returning 3,672 previously vacant or derelict homes to active residential use across the country
725 Applications were received from Tipperary, with 580 of these approved, while 32 were rejected.

202 successful Tipperary applicants have now received their Grants, which represents a total payment to date of €11,037,268.

Significantly, the thrid quarter of this year saw the highest-ever Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant payments, with 760 grants paid nationally, representing a 126% increase compared to the same period last year.

Since the Scheme’s launch in July 2022, 11,059 applications have been approved, underlining the growing momentum of the scheme and its impact in tackling vacancy and boosting housing supply.

Tipperary Independent TD, Deputy Michael Lowry welcomed the latest figures and is encouraging more people to investigate if the grants.

“Vacant and derelict homes are not only a blight on our village and town communities It is unacceptable in the midst of a housing crisis.

“With Grants available, there is an expectation that such properties be dealt with as a matter of urgency,” he told the Tribune this week.

“Disused properties not only represent missed opportunities to provide much-needed homes, but they also undermine the vibrancy and liveability of our town centres,” he added.

In the recent Budget, the Government expanded the Living City Initiative to support ‘over-the-shop’ conversions. It introduced a new Derelict Property Tax, to be administered by the Revenue Commissioners, to replace the current Derelict Sites Levy - all decisions Deputy Lowry said will help ease the housing crisis.

“These latest Vacant and Derelict Homes Grants figures clearly demonstrate that they are playing a key role in tackling vacancy and dereliction with more and more homes coming back into residential use,” he said.

“This trend is reflected in recent CSO data, which shows the National Vacancy rate fell from 3.6% in Q4 2022 to 3.3% in Q4 2023, based on electricity consumption.”

Since the introduction  of the grant in July 2022 to September 2025, Donegal and Cork County Council have received the highest number of applications with over 1,000 applications received.

They are followed closely by Dublin City Council, which has received over 900 applications. 

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Mayo and Tipperary County Councils are the next highest in terms of activity under the scheme.

A total of 14,910 applications have been received for the grant since it was launched in July 2022. Of those 11,059 applications have been approved.

A total of €200,047,785 million has been paid out to 3,672 applicants.