Information evening to raise awareness of grant schemes for bringing vacant and/or derelict properties back into use

Fingal County Council will be hosting an information evening later this month to raise awareness of grant schemes that can ease the financial burdens faced by property owners and potential property owners interested in bringing vacant and/or derelict properties back into use. 

The event will take place on the 23rd of September 2025 at the Tara Suite, Grand Hotel in Malahide and will see the Council’s Vacant Homes Team and Architectural Conservation Office outline what opportunities exist for those interested in undertaking restoration projects across the county.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) will also be present to provide information on available grants.

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

The initiative has seen over €8.65 million in grant payments approved for 170 applicants across the county since launching over three years ago.

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 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme continue to play an important role in increasing the number of available homes, bringing vibrancy back to our communities and tackling vacancy and dereliction in towns and villages across the county.

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

“The information evening is a further opportunity to showcase the scheme to Fingal property owners and we are delighted that SEAI will also be present to give information on the SEAI grants that can be used alongside Vacant Property Refurbishment Grants.”

The event will also provide information on Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) in Fingal and their associated conservation grants.

With 33 ACAs in Fingal, 14 of which are in the Howth/Malahide electoral area, the briefing session will provide helpful insights on ACAs and how to maximise available funding for those considering doing works to their property.

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 as well as its own scheme for minor repairs and/or conservation advice.

In 2025, a total of almost €300,000 has been awarded to 47 conservation projects in the county.

Anyone interested in applying for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2026 — including the Historic Thatched Building Stream — is urged to prepare their applications as soon as possible. The window to apply for the scheme, which provides vital support for the conservation of our built heritage, will close on Friday, 26 September 2025.

For more information on the scheme go to: https://fingal.live/4eu5kfdd.

The SEAI will be present on the night advising on their range of grants to make homes more energy efficient, as well as how the SEAI grants can be used in conjunction with the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as part of an overall refurbishment of a vacant and\or derelict property.

Information stands will be open from 6.30pm with presentations from the Council and the SEAI commencing at 7pm.

To attend the free event you must register in advance via the link: https://forms.office.com/e/F9Gck3mCXN.