Stage payments for grants 'would speed up revamp of  Cork's derelict properties'

Cork County Council has also suggested an increase in the size of properties which are exempt from planning

Cork County Council also heard that the Croi Conaithe grant scheme had been a success in rural areas, but for some reason the take-up in towns and villages has been slow. Picture: Dan Linehan

Cork County Council is to ask the Government to change the guidelines around grant aid for refurbishing derelict properties to make it easier for homeowners in the county to access funding.

The Croi Conaithe scheme offers grants of up to €50,000 to first-time buyers and other owner-occupiers willing to refurbish derelict and vacant homes in towns and villages around the country. The fund, launched by the Government in June 2022, is intended to support home ownership and tackle vacancy in regional towns and villages by directly supporting the refurbishment of empty homes.