17 new local homes could be provided by refurbishing four former pubs.
Two establishments in Kilkenny are bidding to provide accommodation for two households while two in Carlow are set to cater for 15.
Planning exemptions introduced in 2018, removed the requirement for planning permission for the conversion of certain types of vacant commercial property into residential units and this was extended four years later.
Overall, in 2023, local authorities received 267 notifications with the potential to provide 650 new homes (39 related to pubs which will create 136 homes).
Minister Darragh O’Brien said; “Converting empty buildings into forever homes is a key component of Housing for All. These figures show that policies which have eased the planning burden for those who wish to convert unoccupied commercial premises, including pubs, into residential use are helping to increase supply, tackle vacancy and renew urban areas.”
He adds “I’ve visited counties and got to see first-hand the impact of turning what was once a vacant pub into five or six new apartments. It makes sense to provide the exemptions and to make it easier for people to convert commercial buildings into high-quality homes.’’
The Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Alan Dillion commented; “This is one of a suite of measures which has proved effective in encouraging property owners to convert vacant commercial buildings to residential use such as ‘above shop’ living. Bringing vacant and derelict properties back into reuse can be a catalyst for regeneration and revitalisation, bringing vibrancy back to communities.”
Other Government initiatives to tackle vacancy, include increased resources for local authorities’ Vacant Homes Offices, the Repair and Lease Scheme which provides property owners with a loan to restore a property in return for guaranteed rent by leasing the property out for social housing, and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which offers grants of up to €70,000 to turn a vacant property into a permanent home.
Visit www.gov.ie/vacancy to see all supports available to bring vacant properties back into use.
