Council wants to help more people bring vacant or derelict properties back into use

To help property owners and potential property owners interested in revitalising vacant properties, Fingal County Council will be hosting a briefing session to raise awareness of available grants and schemes that will ease some of the financial burdens faced by people keen to take on refurbishment work and bring vacant or derelict properties back into use.

As part of this approach, an information evening will take place on April 8 at the Bracken Court Hotel in Balbriggan.

This will see the Council’s Vacant Homes Team and Architectural Conservation Officers outlining what opportunities exist for those interested in undertaking restoration projects across the county.

A key focus of the session will cover the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme.

The initiative has seen over €6.4 million in grant payments approved for 129 applicants across the county since launching three years ago, with the funding helping people to bring vacant or derelict buildings back into residential use.

Under the scheme, grants of up to €50,000 are available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for use as either principal private residences or rental properties, with an additional €20,000 grant available if the property is derelict.

Director of Housing at Fingal County Council, Paul Carroll, said: “We are delighted to see this scheme continue to play an important role in housing provision.

“Increasing the number of available homes brings vibrancy back to communities and changes the landscape of our towns and villages by tackling vacancy and dereliction.

“This is all achieved in the most sustainable way possible by the re-use of existing buildings.”

The event will also provide information on Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA) in Fingal and associated conservation grant schemes that are available in the county.

With 33 ACAs in the Fingal, two of which are in Balbriggan, the briefing session will provide helpful insights on ACAs and how to maximise available funding for anyone considering doing works to their property.

Helena Bergin, Architectural Conservation Officer at Fingal County Council, said: “We are keen to meet with property owners and to raise public awareness of our ACAs in Fingal.

“There are a number of schemes that can assist building owners to undertake refurbishment work, so we’re happy to provide information and advice in advance of those funding streams becoming available.”

Fingal’s Conservation Office administers annual schemes on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for works to protected structures and buildings in ACAs.

In 2024, a total of €240,563 was awarded to 40 conservation projects in the county.

There will be two briefing sessions taking place on the night, with slots available at 6pm and 7.30pm.

For further details and to register go to:  https://fingal.live/2rxtmsu3