• 374 applications and 206 approvals so far in Roscommon 
• Impact of vacant and derelict property refurbishment grant scheme speeds up
• Rapid increase in rate of grant payments as works complete

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne has today published the latest figures relating to the vacant property refurbishment grant which show that, nationally, over €77 million has been paid out in relation to the refurbishment of 1,449 homes nationwide.

The figures – which outline applications, approvals and payments under the scheme up to the end of December 2024 – clearly show an exponential increase in the rate of grants issued to homeowners following completion of work.

Overall, since the launch of the grant in July 2022, in Roscommon there have been 374 applications, 206 approvals and 44 grants issued up to 31 December 2024. As the scheme continues, more and more completions are coming on stream.

Under the vacant property refurbishment grant, you can receive a payment of up to €70,000 to turn a vacant or derelict house or building into your permanent home or a rental property. The grants are paid upon the completion of the works and the submission of the required paperwork demonstrating the work approved has been delivered.

Reflecting on the latest data, Minister for Housing, James Browne said: “The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is delivering real results, with over €77 million already paid out to bring nearly 1,500 homes back into use in towns and villages across the country.

“The rapid increase in grant payments, €2,603,056 in Roscommon shows the scheme is growing momentum, helping to tackle vacancy and providing much-needed housing.

“With its ability to provide housing and revitalise communities, it is not surprising that the grant is so popular. Indeed, with over 11,000 applications received and hundreds of applications being received monthly, this initiative is making a real difference in communities across the country.”

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• Impact of vacant and derelict property refurbishment grant scheme speeds up
• Applications received so far exceed 11,000
• Rapid increase in rate of grant payments as works complete

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne has today published the latest figures relating to the vacant property refurbishment grant which show that, over €77 million has been paid out in relation to the refurbishment of 1,449 homes.

The figures – which outline applications, approvals and payments under the scheme up to the end of December 2024 – clearly show an exponential increase in the rate of grants issued to homeowners following completion of work.

As the scheme continues, more and more completions are coming on stream. In Q4 2024, 541 grants were paid out, a significant increase from Q3 2024, where 336 grants paid out, as well as on Q2 2024 (226 grants paid) and Q1 2024 (146 payments).

Overall, since the launch of the grant in July 2022, there have been 11,327 applications, 7,738 approvals and 1,449 grants issued up to 31 December 2024.

Under the vacant property refurbishment grant, you can receive a payment of up to €70,000 to turn a vacant or derelict house or building into your permanent home or a rental property. The grants are paid upon the completion of the works and the submission of the required paperwork demonstrating the work approved has been delivered.

Reflecting on the latest data, Minister for Housing, James Browne said: “The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is delivering real results, with over €77 million already paid out to bring nearly 1,500 homes back into use in towns and villages across the country.

“The rapid increase in grant payments shows the scheme is growing momentum, helping to tackle vacancy and providing much-needed housing.

“With its ability to provide housing and revitalise communities, it is not surprising that the grant is so popular. Indeed, with over 11,000 applications received and hundreds of applications being received monthly, this initiative is making a real difference in communities across the country.”

To date, Donegal County Council holds the highest number of applications (1042), approvals (715) and grant payments (93). Cork County and Mayo County Councils have had the second and third highest number of applications respectively.

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The shortage of available rental properties is particularly alarming, with fewer than 200 homes listed in Roscommon, reflecting a broader trend seen throughout Connacht. As the number of homes on the market has dwindled, competition for rentals has intensified, leaving many families facing the burden of rising costs amid stagnating wages.

Ronan Lyons, an economist at Trinity College Dublin, emphasises that a severe shortage of rental housing is driving prices up across the country: “As the rental crisis enters its second decade, significant reform is needed to rent controls both to avoid a situation where the pressure in the market falls disproportionately on some renters and, more importantly, to ensure that new supply comes on stream over the coming years. Rising rents are a signal of a shortage of rental housing. The ultimate solution to that shortage is to ensure new rental housing is built. This must be central to housing policy for the new government.”

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According to the report, the county recorded one of the highest vacancy rates in the country, following Leitrim (11.8%) and Mayo (10.6%), while Dublin (1.2%) had the lowest.

Despite the high vacancy rate, 192 new residential addresses were added to Roscommon in 2024, with 162 properties under construction in December. However, this figure remains among the lowest in the country, ahead of only Longford (85) and Leitrim (121).

Roscommon also accounted for 6.1 per cent of the 20,092 derelict residential properties recorded nationwide, with Mayo, Donegal, and Galway having the highest concentrations.

The average house price in Roscommon reached €205,333 in the year to November 2024, remaining among the lowest in Ireland. Only Leitrim (€190,000) and Longford (€196,532) recorded lower averages, while Dublin (€565,351) had the highest.

Commenting on the report, Annette Hughes, Director at EY Economic Advisory, said: “The latest GeoDirectory report spotlights a continuing and encouraging downward trend in both national vacancy and dereliction rates, as our growing population and policy initiatives are having an impact.”

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The HTB scheme, introduced to assist first-time buyers in securing a deposit for a newly-built home or self-build, offers a rebate on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the previous four years. Despite its availability, Roscommon’s claim numbers remain relatively low.

Neighbouring Galway recorded 1,642 claims, significantly higher than Roscommon, while Mayo had 669. Meanwhile, Longford (104 claims) and Leitrim (99 claims) recorded some of the lowest figures nationwide, placing them alongside Roscommon as areas with the least engagement with the scheme.

By contrast, urban counties recorded much stronger uptake, with Dublin leading at 5,027 claims, followed closely by Cork (5,157) and Kildare (4,355). These counties also tend to have more new housing developments, making the scheme more accessible to first-time buyers.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, responding to the parliamentary query, reaffirmed that the scheme remains available in 2025 and continues to be reviewed for its effectiveness in improving access to homeownership. However, the data suggests that uptake remains considerably lower in counties where new housing supply is more limited, particularly in rural areas such as Roscommon, Longford, and Leitrim.

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Dáil Talks: A Focus on Modular Homes and Planning Reform

Yesterday’s Dáil session saw a debate on the government’s proposal to relax planning rules for modular homes, particularly those constructed as free-standing structures like cabins in back gardens. The initiative aims to amend existing regulations that currently allow extensions of up to 40 square meters without planning permission. Under the new proposal, free-standing modular homes of similar size would also be exempt from planning requirements, a move designed to facilitate “intergenerational movement” by allowing younger generations or aging parents to live independently yet close to family.

The discussion highlighted the urgency of addressing Ireland’s housing shortage, with modular homes seen as a stopgap measure rather than a comprehensive fix. Opposition voices, including Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats, cautioned against potential misuse by landlords and emphasised the need for broader, more sustainable housing solutions.

However, the government maintained that the reform aligns with recent legislative overhauls, such as the Planning and Development Act 2024, which seeks to streamline planning processes and boost housing supply.

A Rural Perspective

Minister Marian Harkin TD described the planning regulation reforms as innovative solution: “Currently, homeowners can build extensions of up to 40 square meters without planning permission, provided the extension is attached to the main house. By removing the requirement for attachment, we could empower some families to start addressing their own housing challenges. This is a common-sense, intergenerational solution,” Minister Harkin stated.

She emphasised that this change could enable younger family members to establish independent living spaces on family land while remaining within their communities. Over time, as housing needs evolve, families could potentially swap homes—an arrangement already seen in garage conversions nationwide. However, Minister Harkin noted that such conversions can be costly and disruptive, whereas modular housing offers a more flexible and efficient alternative.

“It is important to acknowledge that these structures will only be appropriate in certain settings where space allows. However, we must make housing more accessible, and this is just one of several measures under government consideration,” Minister Harkin added. She referenced additional efforts, including the implementation of the Planning and Development Act and updates to the National Planning Framework, aimed at ensuring an adequate supply of zoned and serviced land to boost housing availability as further practical and achievable actions in the process of tackling of the housing crisis.

Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon-Galway advocated for greater flexibility in planning laws to accommodate modular homes, particularly log cabins. During the Dáil talks, Fitzmaurice highlighted the challenges faced by rural constituents under current planning restrictions. He cited cases where planning applications for log cabins on private land have been rejected due to stringent local authority rules, often limiting such builds to areas near forests. “We’re in a housing crisis, and yet hardworking people trying to build low-impact homes like log cabins are hitting a brick wall,” he remarked.

Fitzmaurice urged the government to ensure that the proposed exemptions are practical and accessible, particularly in rural counties like Roscommon and Galway. His contributions echoed earlier calls he made in 2023, during a Rural Independents’ motion on rural housing, where he pushed for a review of planning guidelines to include modular homes like log cabins. Today, he reiterated that clear policy changes could empower rural families to stay rooted in their communities, reducing urban migration pressures.

Fitzmaurice also said in relation to housing: “If a builder had done 100 houses in the private sector, and hadn’t done a state job in the last three years, they cannot tender. That’s total madness within the department. You could be building 100 private houses, and you still could not tender for a public job.” He also called for more funding given to local authorities for council housing renovation and implementing sewerage and water projects.

Log Cabins as Modular Homes

Log cabins, often categorised as modular homes due to their prefabricated construction, have gained traction in Ireland as a viable housing alternative. Today’s Dáil debate acknowledged this trend, with log cabins frequently cited as an example of the type of modular home that could benefit from relaxed planning rules.

However, concerns were raised about enforcement and quality control. Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin warned that without safeguards, exemptions could lead to “unscrupulous landlords” exploiting the system to cram renters into substandard cabins. Fitzmaurice countered this by stressing the need for balanced regulations that prioritise genuine family use over commercial exploitation, a sentiment that found support among some government TDs.

Changes in Planning and Legislation

The proposal to exempt free-standing modular homes from planning permission builds on recent legislative efforts to modernise Ireland’s planning system. The Planning and Development Act 2024, passed late last year, introduced statutory timelines for planning decisions and restructured An Bord Pleanála into An Coimisiún Pleanála, aiming to reduce delays and litigation that have long hampered housing projects. Yesterday’s discussion positioned the modular homes reform as a complementary measure, leveraging these changes to fast-track alternative housing options.

Additionally, the government’s exploration of modular homes extends beyond back gardens. In 2024, planning rules were adjusted to allow fast-tracked modular units for Ukrainian refugees, a policy now under consideration for expansion to include international protection applicants and students. This indicates a deliberate move toward embracing modular construction as a flexible solution within Ireland’s housing strategy. Examples like Vancouver and California, where log cabins have effectively addressed housing shortages, have been cited as comparisons. Progress Ireland, an independent think tank, estimates that policies promoting these homes could yield up to 350,000 additional residences.

Looking Ahead

Public consultation and interdepartmental submissions are planned to refine the modular homes proposal, ensuring it balances flexibility with oversight. Critics, including Social Democrats’ Rory Hearne, argue that the government should prioritise “genuinely affordable homes” over what they see as temporary fixes like garden cabins. Meanwhile, rural TDs view the reforms as a lifeline for communities struggling to retain younger generations.

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The SCSI’s Annual Residential Review and Outlook report – now in its 42nd year – found that 83% of agents now believe current property prices are either ‘expensive’ or ‘very expensive’. When asked where they believe we are in the market cycle, 61% of respondents believe prices are rising but will level off soon.

Gerard O’Toole (Vice President of the SCSI) described current rates of property inflation – the CSO estimates annual rate of inflation at circa 10% –  as unsustainable.

“Our survey responses suggest agents believe there will be a shift towards more balanced growth expectations with less emphasis on rapid price increases”, he said. “Given the affordability challenges facing all buyers, particularly first-time buyers, a slowdown or period of market stabilisation would be most welcome”.

Three out of four agents (76%) reported low stock levels – up slightly on last year – with the majority of agents indicating that the lack of supply was the main factor influencing expectations around house price movements. Mr O’Toole said the lack of supply will remain the dominant issue until annual completion levels are ramped up to 40,000 plus.

“A year ago, 40% of agents identified the lack of supply as the main issue affecting price movements, now that number is around 60%. That and the fact three out of four agents (76%) are continuing to report low stock levels, reflect the reality of the Irish property market”, he commented.

“The other main factors that our members believe are influencing price movements include lower interest rates and the availability of credit (12%), access to schemes supporting house purchases such as Help to Buy (8%) and changes in the state of the economy (8%).

“Fifty-three percent of agents report a slight improvement in credit conditions and believe this was the main factor impacting the higher than anticipated price movements in late 2024”.

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The next sheep sale takes place on Wednesday, January 22nd. The yard opens at 8 am, and all stock must be penned by 10 am. Please note all sheep must be tagged with a full yellow EID tag set. The sale can be viewed live on livestock-live.com.

Hoggets, sample prices: 68kgs-€232-€3.41 per kg, 60kgs-€229- €3.82 per kg, 57kgs-€230-€4.04 per kg, 52kgs-€215-€4.13 per kg, 49kgs-€210-€4.29 per kg, 47kgs- €192-€4.09 per kg, and 44kgs-€172-€3.91 per kg.

Cast ewes, sample prices: 92kgs- €282-€3.07 per kg, 89.1kgs-€260-€2.92 per kg, 84.4kgs-€238-€2.82 per kg, 79.3kgs-€220-€2.77 per kg, 73.5kgs- €194-€2.64 per kg, and 70.6kgs-€178- €2.52 per kg.

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According to the two ministers, the progress follows increased funding, staffing, and additional appointments to the Board, measures introduced to address operational challenges stemming from 2022.

Increased efficiency

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Alan Dillon described the reduction in pending cases as a “welcome achievement”. He attributed the improvement to additional resources provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

“The Board’s ability to deliver timely and fair decisions is critical for Ireland’s planning system, economic growth, and housing supply,” Dillon said. He added that the reduction positions An Bord Pleanála to meet future challenges, particularly with the implementation of the Planning and Development Act 2024.

Housing prioritisation

The Board also adhered to statutory timelines for processing Large Scale Residential Developments (LRDs), which replaced the Strategic Housing Development process in 2022. By November 2024, 74 LRD cases had been resolved, with all decisions delivered within the required 16-week timeframe.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien acknowledged the progress, stating: “The progress shown in reducing the backlog of cases on hand demonstrates the hard work ongoing within the organisation. I have no doubt that this trend will carry on into 2025”.

Reforms underway

The progress comes as An Bord Pleanála prepares for a major structural overhaul under the Planning and Development Act 2024. The new legislation will rename the organisation as An Coimisiún Pleanála and introduce distinct roles for Planning Commissioners who will be responsible for all decision-making regarding appeals and applications made and they will be overseen by a newly-created position of Chief Planning Commissioner; a Governing Board, which will be responsible for the performance and oversight of the organisation; and an Executive and Inspectorate which will undertake and support organisational and operational functions and will be overseen by a Chief Executive Officer.

According to the Department, recruitment for Governing Board members began in October 2023. Ten candidates have now been appointed as full term Board members by the Minister, with a full complement of 15 full term board members to be in place from January 2025.

Resourcing

In a statement to the Roscommon People, a Department spokesperson said that staffing levels at An Bord Pleanála have grown significantly, with 290 employees (including board members) as of November 2024, representing a 50% increase since 2021. Additionally, the Department has approved 117 additional posts.

The Government anticipates that the structural and operational changes will help An Bord Pleanála maintain more manageable workloads and improve the efficiency of Ireland’s planning system.

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