Information Sessions on Supports for Renovating Vacant Houses in the Gaeltacht

5 August, 2026

min read

A series of information sessions, on supports for renovating vacant houses in the Gaeltacht, are underway, run by the recently appointed Vacant Houses Coordinator for the Gaeltacht, Colm MacEachmharcaigh, in collaboration with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Mayo County Council.

According to statistics from the 2022 census, there are 6,098 empty houses in Gaeltacht areas, 11% of the total housing stock, which is higher than the national average of 8%. These information sessions aim to encourage people to make use of these empty houses.

Renovation Grants of up to €70,000

One of the key messages shared at the sessions was information on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, available through County Councils, in partnership with the Croí Cónaithe scheme:

  • Up to €50,000 in grants for vacant houses to be renovated as a place of residence
  • Up to €70,000 in grants for derelict houses, in recognition of the extra work and expense involved in bringing houses that have been derelict for a longer period back to a liveable standard

Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said:

“These information sessions run by Colm are an important step. There are currently jobs available in the Gaeltacht with Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies, and those companies have indicated that the lack of housing is currently one of the biggest barriers to recruitment. On the other hand, people from the Gaeltacht, people with Gaeltacht roots, and Irish speakers alike, all want to settle in the Gaeltacht, where vacant and derelict houses are available. These sessions are about sharing accurate information with the public on the supports available, so that the owners of these vacant houses are encouraged to renovate them, which will, as a result, draw Irish speakers back to the Gaeltacht.”

Colm Mac Eachmharcaigh, Coordinator for Vacant Houses in the Gaeltacht, said:

“I’d encourage people to talk to their neighbours and their families about the housing shortage in the Gaeltacht and the grants on offer. It’s vitally important that there’s housing available for Irish speakers and young families in the Gaeltacht, and people who own vacant houses can make a real difference there.”

Progress across the Gaeltacht

The next session will take place in Cois Fharraige on 8th September. To register or for further information, contact Colm Mac Eachmharcaigh at cmaceachmharcaigh@MayoCoCo.ie. Further information sessions will be held across the Gaeltacht in the coming months, with dates to be confirmed.