Over €112 million has been now paid out under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applicants, bringing more than 2,000 homes back into residential use.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne said that more than 12,400 applications for the grant have been received across Ireland by the end of March this year.

The number of grants being paid out continues to rise significantly each quarter, as works on properties are completed.

More than 630 grants were issued in quarter one (Q1) 2025 on completion of works, according to the new figures published today (Monday, April 28).

This represents a significant increase on the same period last year when 146 grants were paid out in Q1 2024.

Minister James Browne TD said that "the momentum of this grant continues to build".

“The grant is making a significant and important contribution to cities, towns, villages and rural areas, supporting people to bring these vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes and in tandem with that – helping to revitalise communities," he added.

By the end of March this year, Donegal County Council has the highest number of applications received with 1,114, of which 811 have been approved.

Cork County has the second highest received (1,063), approved (797) and the highest number of grants paid out (152).

Mayo County Council is in third place with 740 applications received and 116 grants paid out on completion of works.

A total of 12,404 applications have been received for the grant since it was launched in July 2022.

Of those, 8,652 applications have been approved. A total of €112.5 million has been paid out to 2,096 applicants.

Minister Browne said that the payment of grants is expected to continue at pace throughout the year as more refurbishment works reach completion.

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: