Almost €1.5 million in vacant property grants issued in Carlow since beginning of year

Latest figures show that over €1,434,688 has been paid out to Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applicants in Carlow since the beginning of the year.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD published figures earlier this week which show that over €155.2 million has been paid out to grant applicants across the country, bringing 2,856 homes back into residential use from vacancy nationwide.

Since the scheme began, almost 10,000 applications for the grant have been approved across Ireland by the end of June this year.

In Carlow, between 1 April and 30 June of this year Carlow County Council has received a total of 15 applications. Five have been approved but none have been rejected.

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It is worth noting that there is a time lag between being awarded the grant and receiving it as they are paid out on completion of the work and the provision of necessary paperwork.

In total, Carlow County Council issued grants on the completion of works to a total amount of €150,000 during this period.

This was the lowest amount nationwide, although Carlow did also have some of the lowest amount of applications as well.

So far this year, Carlow County Council has received 141 applications. Of these, 79 have been approved and just one rejected. 

Over €1,434,688 has been issued in grants to 28 completed projects. Again, Carlow fell in the lower end of the figures.

Nationally, more than 700 grants were paid in the second quarter of 2025 on completion of works, according to the new figures.  

Commenting on these latest figures, Minister for Housing James Browne TD said: "We are in a crisis situation, and I am determined to pull every lever at my disposal to get things moving and get houses that are lying there under used or unused to become desperately needed homes.

"I am pleased at the serious impact the vacant property refurbishment grant delivers. The good work shown by this grant continues to grow, with the increase in payments reflecting the fact that more vacant and derelict properties are being brought back into use across the country. I take a very firm, indeed grim view of any properties left to lie vacant at this point in time.

"As well as delivering new homes for people and families, this grant does genuinely mark a key intervention when it comes to the liveability, accessibility and indeed safety of our cities, towns, villages and rural areas as well as helping to revitalise communities. I want people living in our urban spaces in social hubs of communities. We want thriving streets as people grow up and grow old."