Over 260 previously vacant and derelict properties have been restored to residential use across Galway through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, marking a major milestone in efforts to tackle vacancy and dereliction in the county, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD has said today as he responded to the publication of his Department’s Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics for Q3 2026.
In total, the scheme has now helped bring 267 vacant and derelict Galway properties back into use, backed by over €14 million in grant funding. Demand also remains strong in Galway with 943 applications received and 724 approvals granted since the launch of the scheme in 2022.
In the third quarter of this year, the scheme maintained its strong performance supporting the refurbishment of 42 vacant and derelict homes between July and September with 35 grant approvals during the same period.
Commenting on the latest figures, Minister Browne said dereliction is a scourge that blights communities, undermines town and village centres, and removes much-needed homes from use, and it is something this Government will not tolerate.
“The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is delivering real results right across Galway, with more than 260 homes now brought back into use through the scheme. That represents families, homebuyers and renters who now have access to homes that may otherwise have remained vacant, while also helping to revitalise communities.”
Nationally, the scheme has now helped bring 7,162 vacant and derelict properties back into use, backed by over €396 million in grant funding.
