Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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260. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide a report on the initiatives being taken to bring vacant properties back into use in Carlow; the number brought back into use in Carlow; the number of properties that applied for the vacant property scheme by town in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24204/24]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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261. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of Croí Cónaithe grants that have been approved in each Donegal local electoral area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24213/24]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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292. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of Croí Cónaithe grants that have been approved for Donegal to date; the number of Croí Cónaithe grants that have been approved for each local electoral area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24049/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 260, 261 and 292 together.

Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government and Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. The Vacant Homes Action Plan Progress Report outlines the significant progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, launched July 2022, is a key measure in returning vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.

Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is available to properties which have been vacant for 2 years.

My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes breakdowns by local authority. See gov.ie - Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics (www.gov.ie)

Another initiative under the Action Plan is the new CPO Activation Programme, launched by my Department in April 2023. The Programme provides for a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use.

Targets have been set for each local authority for the number of identified vacant and derelict properties to enter the Programme. Overall, there is a target of 4,000 properties entering the Activation Programme in 2023. Of these, a target of 400 has been set for properties to enter the compulsory acquisition process, where engagement with the owner has not resulted in the vacant or derelict property being brought back into use.

My Department set targets for each local authority, including Carlow County Council, on the number of properties to enter the Programme in 2023. My Department will report on the 2023 targets, and set new targets, in Q2 2024.