More than €14.9 million in vacant property grants issued in Mayo
Latest figures show 269 vacant properties were brought back into use in Mayo, with 52 new grant applications received in the third quarter
According to the latest figures from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, more than €14.9 million has been issued in grants to help bring vacant and derelict properties back into use in Mayo.
The figures show that 269 properties in the county have been restored to residential use under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme since its launch in 2022.
By the end of September 2026, Mayo County Council had received 1,115 applications for the grant, with 835 approved and 58 rejected. A total of €14,909,248 had been issued following the completion of refurbishment works.
Between July and September this year, the council received 52 new applications under the main scheme, approved nine and rejected none. Grants totalling €1,663,416 were issued for 28 properties during the quarter.
Nationally, the scheme has helped bring 7,162 vacant and derelict properties back into residential use, supported by more than €396 million in grant funding.
More than 19,000 applications have been received since the scheme began in 2022, with over 15,000 approvals granted.
A total of 809 vacant and derelict homes were brought back into use nationwide between July and September this year.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne said the milestone demonstrated the scheme’s impact in tackling dereliction and increasing the supply of homes.
“Dereliction is a scourge that blights communities, undermines town and village centres, and removes much-needed homes from use, and it is something this Government will not tolerate,” he said.
He added that the scheme was helping families, homebuyers and renters access homes that might otherwise have remained vacant, while supporting the revitalisation of communities.
Interest in above-the-shop grants
The separate Vacant Above the Shop Grant, introduced earlier this year to encourage the conversion of unused upper floors into homes, has also attracted interest in Mayo.
Mayo County Council received three applications under the scheme in the third quarter, approving one and rejecting none. No grants had been issued on completion of works by the end of September.
Since the scheme’s launch, five applications have been received in Mayo, with two approved.
Nationally, 78 applications had been submitted by the end of September, including 30 during the third quarter.
The Minister said the growing interest in the scheme was encouraging, highlighting its potential to regenerate towns and villages while providing homes in locations with existing services.
The council also received three applications for the Expert Advice Grant in the third quarter, all of which were approved. This grant supports applicants seeking professional advice on refurbishing vacant properties.
The latest figures underline the continued demand for support to bring unused buildings back into residential use, with the schemes aimed at addressing vacancy while breathing new life into towns and communities across Mayo and the country.