Hardware Association Ireland has welcomed Minister Darragh O’Brien’s launch of the Vacant Homes Action Plan aimed at bringing empty and derelict properties back into use.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is offering grants of up to €50,000 for derelict homes and €30,000 for vacant homes. The Minister also announced a new €150m Urban Regeneration and Development fund for vacancy-related projects. The reform of the Fair Deal Scheme, allowing residents to keep 60% of rental income on their principal residence, is also part of the package.
Hardware Association Ireland
Commenting on this, Martin Markey, Chief Executive, Hardware Association Ireland, said, ‘’The Vacant Homes Action Plan is a very welcome set of measures that Hardware Association Ireland has been championing for the past year. We are delighted that the Minister and his Department are being proactive on the issue of vacant homes, as it has the potential to free up a lot of housing stock, create a lot of jobs, transform rural towns and villages and tackle dereliction in urban areas.’’
Leading the charge on empty homes
Markey continued, ‘’Hardware Association Ireland has been leading the charge on empty homes for over a year, and in 2022 we developed our Empty Homes strategy. From talking to people on the frontline, including tradespeople, builders merchants, hardware businesses and policy experts, on this issue and taking soundings from other countries where they have tackled this issue, we know that this plan will work and it will bring enormous benefits to communities across Ireland.’’
Hardware Association Ireland is the representative body for Irish hardware and DIY retailers, builders’ merchants, distributors and manufacturers. It represents over 400 members nationwide and 26,000 staff in the sector.