Over €77 million has been paid out for the refurbishment of 1,449 homes under the vacant property refurbishment grant.

The latest figures published by the government cover applications, approvals and payments under the scheme up to the end of December 2024

Since the launch of the grant in July 2022, there have been 11,327 applications, 7,738 approvals and 1,449 grants issued up to December 31, 2024.

In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024, 541 grants were paid out, compared to 336 payments in the previous quarter, 226 in Q2 and 146 in Q1.

Under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, you can receive a payment of up to €70,000 to turn a vacant or derelict house or building into your permanent home or a rental property.

The grants are paid upon the completion of the works and the submission of the required paperwork demonstrating the work approved has been delivered.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne said "the rapid increase in grant payments shows the scheme is growing momentum, helping to tackle vacancy and providing much-needed housing".

"Indeed, with over 11,000 applications received and hundreds of applications being received monthly, this initiative is making a real difference in communities across the country," he said.

To date, Donegal County Council holds the highest number of applications (1042) and approvals (715). There were 93 grant payments issued by the local authority worth a total of €4.9 million.

Cork County (970) and Mayo County Councils (673) have had the second and third highest number of applications respectively.

The following table provides a full breakdown of the applications received, approved and rejected, along with the number of grants issued by local authorities across the country to date: