The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (VPRG) was introduced in 2022 and has supported bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use.

Applications can be for a property as a principal private residence or a property to be made available for rent. The grant applies to eligible vacant properties in cities, towns, villages and rural parts of the country that have been vacant for two years or more prior to application and were built prior to 2008. A maximum of two grants are available to applicant(s) for two individual properties – one for a property that will be their principal private residence and one for a property that will be made available for rent, with a tenancy registered with the Residential Tenancies Board.

A maximum grant of €50,000 is available for a property vacant for 2 or more years. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant(s) to be derelict (i.e. structurally unsound and dangerous) or if the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.  

From 31^st March 2026, the Grant is being expanded to support bringing more vacant and derelict properties into use as homes. The expansion of the scheme will facilitate the conversion of above the shop unused space and vacant commercial buildings into residential use. Three additional schemes have been announced:.

• Vacant Above the Shop Grant (funding up to €135,000)
• VPRG – Conversion of former Commercial/ Public Use Buildings (additional top-up funding up to €40,000)
• Expert Advice Grant (funding up to €5,000)

A separate application form is available for each scheme and applicants need to familiarise themselves with the conditions of each scheme.

It is important to note that:

• Application form entitled “Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant” to be completed for the refurbishment of a vacant/derelict single dwelling property or
• Application form entitled “Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant – Conversion of former Commercial/Public Use Building” to be completed for conversion of vacant former commercial / public use building into two or more residential units.
• Application form entitled “Vacant Above the Shop Grant” to be completed for above the shop space in buildings in cities, towns and villages, where the building was built prior to 2008 and the space/existing residential unit(s) have been vacant for two years or more prior to application. The ground floor commercial space may be vacant or in use at time of application, but must be remaining in commercial use.
• An Expert Advice Grant is available, up to €5,000 for professional services. This grant is to assist owners in the works required to refurbish or convert a vacant or derelict commercial property to include residential units.

The Scheme Outlines and Applications for the 4 available grants can be found at www.gov.ie/vacancy and include:

• Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Application Form
• Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme Outline
• Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant FAQs
• Vacant Above the Shop Application Form
• Vacant Above the Shop Scheme Outline
• Above the Shop FAQs
• VPRG Conversion of former Commercial / Public Use Building Application Form
• VPRG Scheme Outline Inc. Commercial
• VPRG FAQ’s March 2026
• Expert Advice Grant Application Form
• Expert Advice Grant Scheme outline
• Expert Advice Template Report Form

Completed Application forms and supporting documentation can be forwarded to the following email address: [email protected] or posted to Vacant Homes Office, Kerry County Council, Rathass, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

Any queries in relation to the scheme not covered in the link above can also be emailed to: [email protected] or submitted in writing