Between 2018 and 2023, local authorities received 1,165 notifications to convert vacant commercial premises into homes, potentially resulting in 2,716 new homes nationwide.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien, published figures showing that in 2023, local authorities received 267 notifications with the potential to create 650 new homes, including 39 related to pubs that will generate 136 homes.

Planning exemptions introduced in 2018 eliminated the need for planning permission to convert certain types of vacant commercial properties into residential units and in 2022, the exemption was extended to include vacant pubs. In 2022 and 2023, local authorities received 92 notifications related to pub conversions, aiming to create 295 new homes.

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Minister O'Brien said: "Converting empty buildings into forever homes is a key component of Housing for All. These figures show that policies which have eased the planning burden for those who wish to convert unoccupied commercial premises, including pubs, into residential use are helping to increase supply, tackle vacancy and renew urban areas.

"I've visited counties and got to see first-hand the impact of turning what was once a vacant pub into five or six new apartments. It makes sense to provide the exemptions and to make it easier for people to convert commercial buildings into high-quality homes.’"

The Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Alan Dillion added: "This is one of a suite of measures which has proved effective in encouraging property owners to convert vacant commercial buildings to residential use such as ‘above shop’ living. Bringing vacant and derelict properties back into reuse can be a catalyst for regeneration and revitalisation, bringing vibrancy back to communities."

Other Government initiatives to tackle vacancy, include increased resources for local authorities' Vacant Homes Offices, the Repair and Lease Scheme which provides property owners with a loan to restore a property in return for guaranteed rent by leasing the property out for social housing, and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which offers grants of up to €70,000 to turn a vacant property into a permanent home.