Almost 95% of applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant are granted, according to a Laois TD.

Over 234 applications have been made for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, with 179 approved so far. Laois County Council are currently working through the remaining 55 applications, Fianna Fáil Deputy Sean Fleming has said.

The Deputy has claimed that the grant from Laois County Council is 'breathing life back into vacant and derelict buildings', turning them into 'new homes'.

"New figures show that 88 derelict buildings have been transformed to date in Laois and the people who have moved into these new homes are very pleased with the grants received from the Government," Deputy Fleming said.

" Over €4,832,215 has been paid to applicants where the works have been completed to date. This is an average grant of €54,912 per home.

"To date 234 applications have been received, and 179 applications have been approved," the Deputy highlighted.

Read Next: New drop-in clinic for vacant and derelict property owners in Laois

"Refurbishment works to the 91 properties that have been approved but not yet completed are ongoing and I look forward to these works being completed, the grants being paid and people moving into their new homes as soon as possible.

"55 applications are on hand with Laois County Council and I look forward to them being approved as soon as possible.  The approval rate in Laois for these grants is over 95%," he said.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant offers up to €50,000 or up to €70,000 for derelict properties to help renovate for private use. Every home brought back into use helps add to the housing supply in Laois.

"I advise anybody who may have a suitable vacant or derelict property that can be brought back into use with a substantial Government grant to make an application to Laois County Council for these grants," Deputy Fleming finished.

Almost €300,000 in derelict sites fines is owed to Laois County Council, who are increasing their action on the county wide problem of vacant and derelict Laois properties.

The council's CEO, and its former housing officer is Michael Rainey made the promise recently.

"The first two CPOs this year have been advertised. You will see a lot more happening in this county. This is the start," he promised, speaking at the June monthly meeting.

Unpaid fines on derelict Laois properties date back as far as 2022 and total €297,600.

This year the council has sent out payment demands totalling €184,100. They collected just €17,150 in 2024, and so far this year, another €9,100.

There are currently 41 sites on the Derelict Sites Register. Five more are in the process of being added. Six were removed, following improvements made to the look of the sites, or Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) by Laois County Council.

Brothers claiming squatters rights on site Laois County Council seeks to acquire