Over 7,000 vacant homes restored nationwide
More than 7,000 properties previously left empty or derelict have been refurbished and returned to residential use through a government grant scheme. The initiative, backed by nearly €400 million in funding, continues to gain momentum across Ireland, particularly in town centres.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant has successfully brought 7,162 empty and derelict homes back into use since its launch in 2022, according to the latest statistics from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Supported by over €396 million in funding, this scheme aims to tackle housing shortages by revitalising properties that have long stood unused.
During the third quarter of 2026 alone, 809 homes were refurbished under the scheme, maintaining strong demand with nearly 20,000 applications received and more than 15,000 approvals granted to date. A notable increase in interest has been seen in the Vacant Above the Shop Grant, which encourages the conversion of vacant upper floors in town centres into residential units, with 78 applications submitted since the scheme’s introduction earlier this year.
Minister for Housing James Browne emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating that dereliction damages communities and reduces available housing stock. He highlighted the scheme’s success in providing homes for thousands of families and its role in rejuvenating towns and villages. Detailed figures, including a county-by-county breakdown of restored properties, are available in the official report published alongside these statistics.