€6m. paid out in Mayo to bring 116 vacant homes back into use

THE Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, has today published figures which show that over €112 million has been paid out to Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applicants, bringing more than 2,000 homes back into residential use from vacancy nationwide.

Overall, since the launch of the grant in July 2022, in Mayo there have been 740 applications, 496 approvals and 116 grants issued up to March 31, 2025. Total grants payment was €6 million.

More than 12,400 applications for the grant have been received across Ireland by the end of March this year.

A new interactive story map has also been launched with today’s statistics. Information includes the number of grants issued per local authority. ‘Before and after’ images of some of the refurbishment works already carried out by grant recipients under the scheme are also available to view.

The new map is available here.

The number of grants being paid out continues to rise significantly each quarter, as works on properties are completed. Twenty-six grants were issued in Mayo Q1 2025 on completion of works, according to the new figures.

Welcoming the numbers of homes returned from vacancy, Minister Browne said: “The momentum of this grant continues to build, with another significant increase in grants being paid on completion of works as more vacant and derelict properties are brought back into use as homes for people across County Mayo.

“The grant is making a significant and important contribution to cities, towns, villages and rural areas, supporting people to bring these vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes and in tandem with that - helping to revitalise communities.”

The payment of grants is expected to continue at pace throughout the year as more refurbishment works reach completion.