The Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant has today been extended to include rural homes.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, confirmed the move this afternoon.
The expanded grant now includes eligible vacant properties in more remote rural areas of Donegal.
The initial scheme, launched in July, only applied to homes in towns and villages.
The scheme’s expansion will help bring vacant and derelict properties back into residential use.
It will also help limit emissions from residential construction, the minister said, and add vibrancy to rural areas.
Under the scheme, a grant of €30,000 is available to homebuyers to refurbish a home which they will live in.
Where a property is derelict, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 will be available, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.
The grants can also be combined with the SEAI Better Energy Home Scheme that covers works of up to €26,750.
Nationally, more than 420 applications have been made since the grant was initially launched back in July.
Announcing the scheme’s expansion, Minister O’Brien said: “The expanded Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides a fantastic opportunity for even more people – from every part of Donegal – to refurbish vacant properties with the aim of converting them into their homes, enabling them to live in towns, villages and rural areas.
“This scheme 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.”
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD concluded: “The most efficient home is the one which is already built. The scheme’s expansion will not only ensure that existing housing stock is used to the fullest extent possible, it will also help limit emissions from residential construction and add vibrancy to Donegal’s rural areas.”
The updated application form, eligibility criteria and associated FAQs are available here.
They provide additional information to people who would like to apply for the grant.
Further information will be available from the Vacant Homes Officer in Donegal County Council.
