Over 2,000 homes have been brought back into residential use from vacancy across Ireland after more than €112 million was paid out to Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applicants, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD has announced.

More than 12,400 applications for the grant have been received across the island by the end of March this year. The number of grants being paid out continues to rise significantly each quarter, as works on properties are completed. More than 630 grants were issued in Q1 2025 on completion of works, according to the new figures published by Minister Browne's Department.

This represents a significant increase on the same period last year when 146 grants were paid out in Quarter 1 of 2024.

Notably, the statistics indicated:

• By the end of March this year, Donegal County Council has the highest number of applications received with 1,114, of which 811 have been approved.

• Cork County has the second highest received (1,063), approved (797) and the highest number of grants paid out (152).

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• Mayo County Council is in third place with 740 applications received and 116 grants paid out on completion of works.

• A total of 12,404 applications have been received for the grant since it was launched in July 2022. Of those 8,652 applications have been approved. A total of €112.5 million has been paid out to 2,096 applicants.

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

A new interactive story map, developed by Minister Browne's Department, has also been launched with along with the statistics. The map shows the far reaching impact of the grant scheme across the country since its launch. Information includes the number of grants issued per local authority since the scheme's launch. Before and after images of some of the refurbishment works already carried out by grant recipients under the scheme are available to view.

The new map is available at Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics.

Welcoming the numbers of homes returned from vacancy, Minister for Housing James Browne TD 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 the country.

"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 latest Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Q1 2025 statistics can be viewed here.