Galway City Council has welcomed a Government decision to continue and expand the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (VPRG), which has already invested more than €2.5 million in bringing empty homes back into use across the city.

To date, €2,546,449 has been allocated to 49 properties in Galway City under the scheme, which was first introduced in 2022 to tackle vacancy and dereliction.

Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard said: "The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme was introduced in 2022 to bring vacant and derelict properties back into use as family homes and rental residential units. The expanded scheme will target conversion of commercial properties into homes, and vacant 'above the shop' units - potentially unlocking a significant number of new homes throughout Galway City."

Chief Executive of Galway City Council Leonard Cleary said the continued investment would have a significant national impact. "Through the continued VPRG, 20,000 homes nationwide will be brought back into use by 2030 – including both vacant and derelict properties, and through the expansion of the scheme to include 'above the shop' residential units. The scheme has seen significant investment in Galway City to date, and I welcome this continued commitment to the revitalisation of our city, and the creation of new homes."

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Under the existing VPRG, grants of up to €50,000 are available to refurbish vacant homes for use as principal private residences or rental properties registered with the Residential Tenancies Board. Where refurbishment costs exceed this amount, an additional top-up of up to €20,000 is available for derelict properties, bringing the total potential support to €70,000.

The expanded scheme will now also support the full conversion of vacant or derelict commercial properties into multiple residential units. In these cases, in addition to the standard €50,000 or €70,000 grant, a further €20,000 will be available for a second unit and another €20,000 where three or more units are created. A new €5,000 expert advice grant will also be introduced, bringing the maximum available support for larger commercial conversions to €115,000.

A new Vacant Above the Shop Grant is also being launched, offering enhanced funding of up to €140,000 where commercial activity continues at ground-floor level. Grants of up to €95,000 will be available where one residential unit is created above a shop, with a further €20,000 top-up for two units and €40,000 where three or more units are delivered.

In tandem with this, building owners will be able to access a new Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000 to assist with the planning and technical complexities of refurbishing or converting vacant space, including issues such as access and fire separation.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently finalising the detailed arrangements for the new measures, which are expected to come into operation by the end of the first quarter of 2026.