Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant a huge success across Waterford

• Over €4.2m payments made to Waterford homeowners under the scheme bringing 79 vacant properties back into use.

• Strong pipeline across Waterford with over 220 grants approved to bring disused properties back to life.

Minister of State for Planning & Local Government, John Cummins TD has outlined that 79 vacant homes were brought back into use in Waterford during 2025.

The figures also reveal that there is a robust pipeline of projects set to transform vacant and derelict properties into use as homes across Waterford as 390 applications have been made to date under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant with 221 approvals issue. To date, €4.2m has been paid out to homeowners in Waterford since the scheme launched.

Nationally, as the scheme continues to gain momentum, the pace of delivery has also increased significantly, with the rate of grant payments in 2025 more than doubling compared to 2024. In total last year, 3,066 grants were paid out nationally compared to 1,349 in 2024. This represents an increase of 127%.

Overall, between July 2022 and December 2025; 16,607 applications have been received, 12,096 approved and 4,514 grants paid out on completion of works to a total of almost €247m.

Welcoming the new figures, Minister for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins TD said: “This grant is tackling the scourge of dereliction and vacancy head-on, and the surge in vacancy grant payments underlines the schemes growing success in bringing homes back into use across our villages, towns and cities including here in Waterford. As more and more applications are approved, I fully anticipate this trend to continue, with more previously disused properties becoming permanent homes for people.”

“In a time of housing shortage, leaving properties vacant and derelict is simply unacceptable. That’s why, last month alongside extending the grant until 2030, I also announced an enhanced support package of up to €140,000 to transform vacant ‘above shop’ spaces into homes—revitalising communities and creating sustainable housing. The extended support package will be made available at the end of Q1 2026.”

“Tackling vacancy and dereliction is not just a priority, it’s a necessity to ensure existing properties are put to use for housing. I would encourage anybody in Waterford City and County who is interested in availing of the scheme to check it out and engage with their local authority.”

Under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, you can receive a payment of up to €70,000 to turn a vacant or derelict house or former commercial building into your permanent home or a rental property. The grants are paid upon the completion of the works and the submission of the required paperwork demonstrating the work approved has been delivered.