159 vacant and derelict Mayo homes brought back into use
THE Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, has announced the latest figures which show that nationally over €200 million has been disbursed through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, successfully returning 3,672 previously vacant or derelict homes to active residential use across the country.
In Mayo, €8.57 million has been paid out, bringing 159 disused homes back into use.
In total, since the grant was launched in July 2022 up to September 30 last, there have been 871 applications from Mayo homeowners, with 617 approvals.
Throughout the country, Q3 2025 saw the highest-ever Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant payments, with 760 grants paid, 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.
Welcoming the numbers of homes returned from vacancy and dereliction, Minister Browne said: "I want to be very clear. I consider vacant and derelict homes not only a blight on our village and town communities, but also that I see it as a form of anti-social behaviour. It is unacceptable in a housing crisis, and I will not be found wanting in tackling it.
“Consider this the warning shot - if you have properties left derelict, then I expect them to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.”
He continued: “Disused properties not only represent missed opportunities to provide much-needed homes, but they also undermine the vibrancy and liveability of our town centres.
“It’s appalling to me personally and I know it is just galling for people who live near them - to see sites in services areas, where councils are tending to roads and nearby amenities.
“This is why in the recent budget, this Government expanded the Living City Initiative to support ‘over-the-shop’ conversions and introduced new Derelict Property Tax, to be administered by the Revenue Commissioners, to replace the current Derelict Sites Levy.
“These figures clearly demonstrate that the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is playing a key role in tackling vacancy and dereliction with more and more homes coming back into residential use. 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, Donegal County Council 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, who have received over 900 applications. Mayo and Tipperary County Councils are the next highest in terms of activity under the scheme.