Over €6.8m paid to Roscommon homeowners through Vacant Property Refurbishment grant

One hundred and nineteen previously vacant or derelict homes across the county have been brought back to use through €6.8m in funding to Roscommon applicants under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant since the scheme launched, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government.

The figures also reveal that a number of other projects will transform vacant and derelict properties into use as homes in the county as there have been 459 applications and 325 approvals since the introduction of the grant in July 2022.

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 were received, 12,096 approved and 4,514 grants paid out on completion of works to a total of almost €247m.

The figures show that in last year 14 homes in the county received the Vacant Property Grant.

Senator Gareth Scahill said he wanted to see vacant buildings across towns and villages being used and the grant was key to turning them back into homes.

“Under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, you can receive a payment of up to €70,000 to turn a vacant or derelict house into your permanent home. The value of the grants issued in Roscommon last year was €788,000 and this brings the total number of properties refurbished in Roscommon to 119 since the scheme was launched.

“More and more applications are being approved every year with the grant payments in 2025 more than double those in 2024. I’m keen to see this trend continue with more disused properties becoming homes for people.

“This grant is key to repurposing the buildings we already have, to boost available accommodation and also rejuvenate our towns and urban centres,” said Senator Scahill.