Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien has published a new Vacant Homes Action Plan and launched a new €150 million fund for local authorities to tackle vacancy and dereliction to support the plan.

The fund and plan build on ongoing work to tackle vacancy and dereliction and bringing vacant properties into re-use for housing.

Minister O’Brien’s department has also commenced a six-week multi-channel advertising campaign highlighting the supports available to people to buy, lease or sell empty property, or convert vacant commercial property into homes.

The Vacant Homes Action Plan outlines progress in implementing actions relating to vacancy and efficient use of existing stock contained in Housing for All, the government’s housing plan to 2030.

Among the measures in the plan are:

Launching the Vacant Homes Action Plan and new URDF call for proposals, Minister O’Brien said: “The most efficient home to deliver is one that already exists. I want vacant properties in cities, towns and villages across the country to become homes – giving people the opportunity to live and participate in their local communities.

Meanwhile, Minister of State with responsibility for planning and local government, Kieran O’Donnell, added: “Our department has begun a new six-week advertising campaign on supports for converting vacant property into homes.

"People can also convert certain vacant commercial properties into up to nine residential units without planning permission," O'Donnell added.

Minister of State with responsibility for heritage and electoral reform Malcolm Noonan concluded: “Bringing vacant homes back to life means sustainable communities and a better environment in which they can prosper.

"This €150 million fund will support local authorities all across the country to breathe new life into their towns and cities and make them even better places in which to live, work, visit and invest."