The number of applications submitted for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant in Clare so far this year is up 40% on the same time last year.
Clare County Council data shows nearly 350 applications have been made in this county since the scheme was launched.
Since September 2022, the local authority has received 344 applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, of which decisions have been made on 210.
47% have been approved, further information has been requested on 25%, 9% are in progress and 6% are awaiting technical inspection.
A key feature of the grant is that no funds are paid out until the works are completed and have been inspected.
For this reason, grant funding has been paid out for just seven applications in Clare, representing 2% of submissions.
Between January and April of last year, Clare County Council had received 43 applications for the grant.
In the same period this year however, 60 applications were received, indicating a 40% rise.
62% of total applications for the scheme submitted in Clare relate to rural locations while 38% are for properties in towns and villages.
The local authority claims that based on the applications received, there’s a potential investment of €2.5 million in the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties in the county.
