Galway East Deputy Albert Dolan has welcomed new figures from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage which show that hundreds of vacant and derelict homes across Galway County are being brought back into use under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
According to the latest statistics, Galway County Council has received 664 applications since the launch of the scheme, with 467 approvals and just 23 rejections, demonstrating strong demand and effective delivery at local level. To date, 108 grants have been issued on completion of works, with a total value of €5.89 million invested in bringing homes back into use across the county.
In 2025 alone, 35 grants were issued on completion of works, with a total value of €1.9 million, helping to return previously vacant properties to active use as homes.
Speaking following the publication of the figures, Deputy Dolan said that these figures show that the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is making a real and practical difference in Galway.
“Every vacant house brought back into use is a home for a family, a boost for our communities, and a step towards tackling the housing crisis using the buildings we already have.”
Nationally, more than 3,000 vacant or derelict homes were returned to use in 2025 alone, with the rate of grant payments more than doubling compared to 2024. Since the scheme was launched in July 2022, over 4,500 homes have been brought back into use nationwide, supported by almost €247 million in funding.
Deputy Dolan said Galway’s performance demonstrates the importance of strong local authority engagement:
“Galway County Council has shown that when local authorities are properly supported, they can deliver real housing outcomes. This scheme is particularly important for rural areas and towns across Galway, where vacancy and dereliction have held back community life for too long.”
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides up to €70,000 to refurbish a vacant or derelict property for use as a permanent home or rental property, with enhanced supports available for certain categories, including above-shop units.
Deputy Dolan encouraged anyone considering refurbishing a vacant property to engage with Galway County Council:
“If you own a vacant or derelict property in Galway, this grant can make the difference between a building lying idle and becoming a much-needed home. I would strongly encourage people to explore this opportunity.”
