€10million in funding to tackle Limerick dereliction
The funding was approved under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF)
MORE THAN 150 vacant and derelict properties have been identified across Limerick city and county and with a €10 million fund, they have the potential to yield 481 residential homes.
The fund will cover the property purchases for the 164 properties, as well minor works to make the properties more suitable for sale.
Once works are finished, the properties will be offered up for private sale and put back into residential use.
People who buy the houses will be able to offset the costs with the Vacant and Derelict Property Refurbishment Grant, the SEAI energy efficiency grants or the Repair and Leasing Scheme.
The funding comes under the third round of URDF funding, which was announced in January, as a special measure to target long-term vacancy and dereliction and provide residential accommodation.
Nationally, 1,244 vacant properties have been identified and these have the potential to be turned into 5,406 homes.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD said: “The URDF has been a real game-changer for our towns and cities, breathing new life into towns across making them even better places to work in, to live in and to visit.
"Urban regeneration isn’t a luxury, but a real necessity for the beating heart of our urban centres and I’m delighted to see it in action across so many counties.
“The most sustainable buildings we have are the ones which already exist and Call 3 under the URDF is ensuring we put them to their best use.
"The URDF is evidence of this Government’s commitment to improving quality of life in urban centres, making them more accessible, inclusive and liveable for all.”