'Above the shop' grant to give boost to Cork towns and villages

Improvements to the ongoing Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant are to include a ‘Vacant Above the Shop’ Grant, which Cork TDs say will help convert more empty spaces in cities and towns into homes.

Minister of state at the department of housing and Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South West Christopher O’Sullivan explained that as part of the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme, a new enhanced support package of up to €140,000 to bring vacant ‘above shop’ space in towns and villages into use as homes.

The extended grant aims to bring underutilised space above existing commercial premises into residential use, while recognising the additional complexity involved in these conversions. 

The higher grant levels are designed to help meet those challenges.

A grant of up to €95,000 will be available where one residential unit is created, with an additional €20,000 where two residential units are delivered and a further €20,000 where three or more units are provided.

In addition, up to €5,000 will be available to cover expert advice on the conversion of these properties for residential use, bringing the total potential support package to €140,000.

Mr O’Sullivan said: “This will not only provide much-needed homes, but also play a key role in enhancing the social and economic life of our towns and villages.

“I’m personally very pleased to see the scheme expanded to further include vacant ‘above-the-shop’ spaces. I’ve advocated for this issue for a long time, and I sincerely believe it is key to reinvigorating our main streets.” 

Cork South Central TD and housing spokesperson for Fianna Fáil, Séamus McGrath, said: “These improvements represent two birds with one stone, increasing housing supply while breathing life back into disused buildings.

“Above shop vacancies are a blight on our towns and cities, apartments that could be used as homes are lying idle. Not only will this grant support homeowners in renovating and restoring disused buildings, it will also breathe life back into communities that have been plagued by dereliction.” 

Mr McGrath added that the scheme has already demonstrated its value.

“Since its introduction, more than 15,670 applications have been made to local authorities and over €230m in grant funding has been paid out across the country. The new focus on above shop vacancy will make the scheme even more attractive.”