Almost 500 Vacant Homes Brought Back to Use in Cork Through Government Grant Scheme

Nearly 500 previously vacant or derelict properties across Cork City and County have been transformed into homes through a government grant scheme that has distributed almost €26 million to local homeowners since its launch in 2022.

New figures released today by the Department of Housing show that 474 disused properties in Cork have been brought back to life under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, with 158 homes restored in Cork City and 316 in Cork County.

The scheme has proven particularly popular in Cork, with €25.8 million paid out to local applicants, including €8.52 million in Cork City and €17.32 million in Cork County. A strong pipeline of projects remains in place, with 1,481 grants already approved across the city and county awaiting completion.

Since the scheme's introduction in July 2022, Cork homeowners have submitted 1,937 applications, with 582 coming from Cork City and 1,355 from Cork County. The national picture shows momentum building, with grant payments in 2025 more than doubling compared to 2024, rising by 127% from 1,349 to 3,066 completions.

Nationally, between July 2022 and December 2025, the scheme has received 16,607 applications, approved 12,096 grants, and paid out 4,514 grants totalling almost €247 million upon completion of works.

Christopher O'Sullivan TD said:

"This grant is tackling the scourge of dereliction and vacancy head-on, and the surge in vacancy grant payments underlines its growing success in bringing homes back into use across our villages, towns and cities including here in Cork City and County."

The minister announced last month that the scheme has been extended until 2030, with an enhanced support package of up to €140,000 now available to transform vacant above-shop spaces into homes. This enhanced package will become available at the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Christopher O'Sullivan TD added:

"In a time of housing shortage, leaving properties vacant is simply unacceptable. Tackling vacancy and dereliction is not just a priority, it's a necessity to ensure existing properties are put to use for housing. I would encourage anybody in Cork City and County who is interested in availing of the scheme to check it out and engage with the local authority."

Under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, homeowners can receive payments of up to €70,000 to convert vacant or derelict houses, or former commercial buildings, into permanent homes or rental properties. The grants are paid upon completion of works and submission of required documentation demonstrating the approved work has been delivered.