Donegal leads as vacant homes return to use while uptake lags in some counties
New figures show wide variation between local authorities in bringing empty homes back into use through the refurbishment grant
26 January 2026 | đŸ“§Â editor@ipropertyradio.com
More than 3,000 vacant or derelict homes were brought back into use across Ireland in 2025 through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, with the pace of delivery more than doubling on the previous year, according to new figures from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
A total of 3,066 grants were paid on completion of works in 2025, up from 1,349 in 2024, representing a 127 per cent increase. Since the scheme launched in mid-2022, 4,514 homes have been returned to use, supported by almost €247 million in grant funding.
The latest statistics highlight a stark difference in performance between local authorities. Donegal County Council is the strongest performer nationally, with the highest number of applications, approvals and completed grants. By the end of 2025, Donegal had paid out 396 grants on completed homes, with total funding of more than €22.4 million, reflecting sustained take-up and delivery across the county.
Other high-performing authorities include Dublin City Council, with 317 completed grants, and Cork County Council, with 316 homes brought back into use. Tipperary County Council has also seen strong outcomes, delivering 254 completed refurbishments by the end of last year.
At the other end of the scale, several local authorities show much lower levels of delivery. Carlow County Council has recorded the lowest number of completed grants nationally, with 37 homes refurbished since the scheme began. Waterford City and County Council and Fingal County Council also remain among the weaker performers, each with fewer than 80 completed grants to date.
For consumers considering the scheme, the figures underline that outcomes can depend heavily on location, local authority processes and market conditions. Under the grant, homeowners can receive up to €70,000 to refurbish a vacant or derelict property for use as a principal private residence or rental home, with an enhanced grant of up to €140,000 for certain properties, including vacant homes over shops, due to open later in 2026.
The Department said the rising number of completed projects shows growing momentum, but the uneven performance between counties points to continuing challenges in turning approvals into completed homes on the ground.
