Over €15 Million in Grants Returns Nearly 300 Vacant Homes to Use in Cork County
€15.4m grant scheme, with record payments in Q3 2025 showing 126% increase year-on-year.
More than €15 million in government grants has helped bring 282 vacant and derelict properties back into residential use across Cork County, new figures revealed today show significant progress in tackling the housing crisis.
Since the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme launched in July 2022, Cork County Council has received 1,267 applications from homeowners, with 957 approved, representing the second highest level of activity among local authorities nationwide.
The announcement comes as national figures show €200 million has been disbursed through the scheme, returning 3,672 homes to active use across Ireland. The third quarter of 2025 saw record payments, with 760 grants issued, a 126% increase compared to the same period last year.
Minister Christopher O'Sullivan TD said:
"I want to be very clear. I consider vacant and derelict homes not only a blight on our village and town communities, but also that I see it as a form of anti-social behaviour. It is unacceptable in a housing crisis, and I will not be found wanting in tackling it."
The Minister for State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage added: "Consider this the warning shot: if you have properties left derelict, then I expect them to be dealt with as a matter of urgency."
Minister O'Sullivan highlighted that disused properties represent missed opportunities to provide much-needed homes whilst undermining the vibrancy of town centres. He described the situation as "appalling" and "galling" for residents living near derelict sites.
The recent budget expanded the Living City Initiative to support conversions of space above shops and introduced a new Derelict Property Tax, administered by the Revenue Commissioners, to replace the current Derelict Sites Levy.
Since the scheme's introduction, Donegal County Council and Cork County Council have received the highest number of applications, with over 1,000 each. Dublin City Council follows with over 900 applications, whilst Mayo and Tipperary County Councils round out the top five.
Nationally, 14,910 applications have been received since July 2022, with 11,059 approved. Recent CSO data shows the national vacancy rate fell from 3.6% in the fourth quarter of 2022 to 3.3% in the fourth quarter of 2023, based on electricity consumption figures.
The Department has launched a new video showcasing the grant scheme, following one recipient's journey and explaining the application process. An interactive story map illustrates the nationwide impact, featuring local authority data and before-and-after images of completed refurbishments.