Micheál Martin says councils 'must move faster' and 'need to go hard' on derelict properties

Of the Croí Cónaithe scheme, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said 'there’s about 4,000 applications in — that’s going to make a big difference in towns all over Ireland'. File picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Local authorities “must move faster” and “need to go hard” when it comes to derelict properties, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has insisted.

Speaking in Cork, Mr Martin was asked if he stood by criticism in the Dáil last month when he replied to Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik that it was up to local authorities to “get on with it” when it comes to derelict sites and properties, rather than being the responsibility of the Government to do so. Mr Martin said: 

Yes, I think city councils need to go hard on dereliction... In terms of the Derelict Sites Act, I think there has to be more proactivity by city councils and they must move faster in terms of derelict buildings and properties.

Earlier this year, it emerged that local authorities such as Cork County Council were never officially informed that extra funding for vacant homes officers is available, despite being told by a junior minister to “get the finger out” in applying for such funding.

Cork County Council called on the Department of Housing for clarity on what extra funding is available to local authorities, after minister of State for local government Kieran O’Donnell accused it in March of not being “proactive” in applying for more officers.

At no stage was the local authority made aware that it could seek more funds for vacant officers, Cork county councillors jointly said in a letter to the department.

At that time, not a single local authority across the country had applied for extra vacancy officers, which suggested a “breakdown in communications”, according to Cork East TD David Stanton, who raised the issue in the Dáil.

In relation to citizens taking on dereliction projects, the Tánaiste said that the derelict homes refurbishment scheme is making a difference.

I think the grant scheme that has been introduced for derelict houses, where you get €70,000 if you bring it back to live in it — there’s about 4,000 applications in — that’s going to make a big difference in towns all over Ireland.

The scheme to which Mr Martin was referring is known as Croí Cónaithe, which was launched in July 2022 for properties in towns and villages, and expanded in November to cities and other rural areas.

A grant of up to €50,000 is available to do up derelict properties. If the refurbishment costs exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available.

This is along with up to almost €27,000 in further grants potentially available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

However, the scheme’s strict conditions have been criticised by some as too restrictive.

For example, once a grant application receives approval, applicants must complete works applied for within 13 months, while payment of grants comes 12 months from date of approval, as works are completed.

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A survey by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland earlier this year found that its members believe it is more difficult for borrowers to access funding for a renovation project when compared to new or second-hand homes.

Last week’s budget saw an extra €50m pumped into the Croí Cónaithe fund.