Changes to grant scheme will 'incentivise' people to take on vacant homes

Darragh O'Brien: . Photo: Damien Storan.

Changes to the existing vacant home grant scheme aimed at incentivising people to take on empty properties have been described as "sensible and substantial" by an industry body.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched last July for properties in towns and villages and expanded in November to cities and other rural areas. It provides up to €30,000 in grants if someone wants to restore a vacant property to live in as their main home.