'Too many buildings lying idle while people struggle to find homes' - Leitrim comment

New measures aimed at unlocking unused spaces in cities, towns and villages by converting vacant and derelict buildings, as well as unused above-the-shop areas, into residential homes were announced this week.

The announcement comes after Leitrim was found to have the highest level of vacant residential properties at the end of 2024, data from the Central Statistics Office shows. 

The new measures come after a number of anti-vacancy and dereliction initiatives, including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, which has brought 5,200 vacant and derelict homes back into use since 2022.

The new initiatives announced include the Vacant Above the Shop Grant, providing funding of up to €135,000 to support the conversion of vacant above-shop spaces into residential use, while retaining the commercial ground floor. 

A targeted top-up of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, with additional funding of up to €40,000 where entire former commercial buildings are converted into two or more residential units. 

The Expert Advice Grant, offering up to €5,000 to support property owners in accessing professional guidance on converting above-shop spaces or entire commercial buildings into homes.

READ MORE: 'I'm not surprised'- Leitrim has highest rate of derelict properties in country

Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State, Marian Harkin, said: “Across towns and villages, particularly in rural Ireland, we see too many buildings lying idle while people struggle to find homes. These new measures are a practical and necessary step to bring those spaces back into use.

She added: “For the first time, we are directly supporting the conversion of vacant spaces above shops into homes. This is a significant and innovative move that recognises the untapped potential sitting right in the heart of our communities."

The measures form part of the Government’s wider response to the housing crisis and ongoing efforts to tackle vacancy and dereliction. Recent data from the Central Statistics Office shows that the national vacancy rate has fallen to 3.2% at the end of 2024, down from 3.6% in 2022.