Over €5m paid out in Westmeath and Roscommon vacant property grants

Newly-released figures have shown that, to date, Government refurbishment grants totalling more than €5 million have been paid out to property owners for works to upgrade 94 previously vacant homes in Westmeath and Roscommon.

Some 369 projects in the two counties have been approved for vacant property refurbishment grants - but the money is only paid out to homeowners after completion of the work.

In Westmeath, €2.52 million has been paid out so far for 50 completed refurbishment projects. This represents an average grant allocation of €50,454 per property.

In Roscommon, meanwhile, €2.6 million has been paid out for in grants to the owners of 44 now-refurbished projects, which is an average grant of €59,106 per home.

Minister for Housing James Browne published the vacant property refurbishment grant figures today (Tuesday), which showed that over €77 million has so far been paid out nationally in relation to the refurbishment of 1,449 homes.

Under the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme, homeowners can receive a payment of up to €70,000 to turn a vacant or derelict house or building into a permanent home or a rental property.

The grants are paid upon the completion of the work and the submission of the required paperwork demonstrating the work approved has been delivered.

The figures announced this week show that Westmeath County Council has received a total of 230 applications under the scheme, with five rejected and 163 approved so far.

In Roscommon, there have been 374 applications received by the local authority, with 16 rejected and 206 approved so far.

Commenting on the figures, Minister Browne said: "The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is delivering real results, with over €77 million already paid out to bring nearly 1,500 homes back into use in towns and villages across the country.

"The rapid increase in grant payments shows the scheme is growing momentum, helping to tackle vacancy and providing much-needed housing.

"With its ability to provide housing and revitalise communities, it is not surprising that the grant is so popular," he said.

Nationally, Donegal County Council holds the highest number of applications (1,042), approvals (715) and grant payments (93) under the scheme.

Cork County and Mayo County Councils have had the second and third highest number of applications respectively.