Vacant homes in Kilkenny left in the dark

Sinn Féin TD, Kathleen Funchion, has called for urgent government action following revelations that zero vacant home refurbishment grants have been issued in Kilkenny since the scheme opened last year.

To date, 67 people in Kilkenny have applied for the grant.

Speaking about the issue, the Carlow-Kilkenny TD said:

"The Minister needs to step in, end the inconsistencies, provide councils with the staff and ensure that all bank lenders are up to speed with the scheme.

Prospective buyers are taking on a big enough risk purchasing and renovating a derelict or vacant home. They should not have to deal with all of the issues arising from a scheme that was badly designed, announced before the details were cleared up and is slow to process.

They should not have to deal with all of the issues arising from a scheme that was badly designed, announced before the details were cleared up and is slow to process", Funchion concluded.