The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be discussing the revitalisation of vacant and derelict houses on farmland today. The meeting will cover topics such as available grants and additional supports that could be provided to help farmers and others in rural Ireland bring vacant and derelict homes back as viable housing stock. The committee will be discussing the benefits of restoring vacant or derelict houses on farms, including providing much-needed homes in a housing crisis, keeping young people on farms, creating a new generation of farmers, and providing economic and social rejuvenation in rural towns and villages. Renovating existing housing can also contribute to meeting our climate targets as such work involves less carbon emissions than new builds.
Representatives from the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV), the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Macra, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA), and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) will be speaking before the committee. The IFA has stated that revitalising derelict and vacant houses on farmland is “much needed” during a time of high housing needs. The association believes that houses which already exist must be fully used, and a specific pathway must be determined to tackle vacancy and dereliction, which are features of many villages and communities in rural Ireland.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant offers up to €50,000 to renovate a property that has been vacant for at least two years and was built up to and including 2007. If the refurbishment costs exceed the standard grant rate, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available, according to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. While the government’s scheme is a “step in the right direction”, there needs to be more awareness communicated to local communities, the IFA said in a statement provided to the committee.
Revitalising vacant and derelict houses on farmland has the potential to provide much-needed homes in a housing crisis, especially in rural areas. It can also help keep young people on farms and create a new generation of farmers. Restoring existing housing can also contribute to meeting our climate targets as such work involves less carbon emissions than new builds.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be discussing available grants and additional supports that could be provided to help farmers and others in rural Ireland bring vacant and derelict homes back as viable housing stock. This meeting is vital as it can provide solutions to the housing crisis in rural areas and help create a new generation of farmers.
