Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster has called for urgent action from government following revelations that just one vacant home refurbishment grant was issued in Louth since the scheme opened last year.
“In Louth, 63 people have applied for the vacant home refurbishment grant. Of those 21 have been approved” Deputy Munster said. “However, just one has actually been drawn down despite the scheme opening a year ago.
“Talking to applicants across the constituency, I am hearing a lot of complaints about the scheme. Many lenders are still concerned with the treatment of the council clawback and are delaying mortgage drawdown.
“We are also hearing of long processing times as councils are struggling with the staff time required to deal with the application process. There are also inconsistencies in how Councils are applying the conditions of the grant.
“Despite all the promises from Darragh O’Brien, just four grants have been drawn down across the state and one in Louth.
“The Minister needs to step in, end the inconsistencies, provide councils with the staff and ensure that all bank lenders are up to speed with the scheme.
“Prospective buyers are taking on a big enough risk purchasing and renovating a derelict or vacant home.
“They should not have to deal with all of the issues arising from a scheme that was badly designed, announced before the details were cleared up and is slow to process.”
