LIMERICK people who would like to refurbish a vacant property in villages and towns across the county to use as their main residence can now apply for grants of up to €50,000.
Limerick City and County Council has put out a call for interested parties to contact them as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund provided by the government as part of the Housing for All strategy.
The fund scheme, which Limerick Mayor Francis Foley believes will breathe new life back into county towns and villages, supports the sustainable reuse of vacant properties as new homes.
“With the improvements in connectivity and a better work life balance, living in the centres of our towns and villages has never been a more attractive proposition for people and those with young families,” Mayor Foley said.
“The fund will help remove dereliction and vacancy from our towns and villages, which will make them more attractive for others, so it is a win-win situation for everyone, as this could lead to the re-population of many places in the county.”
A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 (VAT inclusive) will be available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property that has not been used as residential previously.
Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a maximum top-up grant of up to €20,000 will be available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict (i.e. structurally unsound and dangerous) bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.
The property must be used as your main residence and must have been built before 1993 and been vacant for two or more years. Qualifying properties should be within a town or village or within walking distance of a town or village along public footpaths primarily.
More information at Limerick.ie
