Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the Government’s expansion of the Buy and Renew Scheme, describing it as a practical reform that will speed up the delivery of social homes while tackling long-term vacancy and dereliction.

Introduced in 2016, the scheme enables local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to acquire and refurbish long-term vacant or derelict properties for use as social housing. To date, almost 1,000 disused homes have been brought back into use.

Under the expanded model, building contractors will now, for the first time, be able to directly acquire and refurbish eligible properties. Contractors must secure agreements in advance with local authorities or AHBs to purchase the completed homes for social housing, providing certainty of delivery while increasing capacity.

Minister Canney said: “This is a focused, delivery-driven change that will increase the pace at which vacant and derelict properties are brought back into productive use.

By opening the scheme to contractors, with agreements secured upfront, we are adding capacity, supporting local builders and tradespeople, and ensuring more social homes are delivered more quickly.”

Eligibility criteria are also being strengthened, with properties now required to be both vacant and derelict. This ensures the scheme targets the most challenging buildings – those unlikely to be addressed through other supports.

Minister Canney added: “No building with housing potential should be left idle. This expansion supports regeneration, increases supply and delivers on our Programme for Government commitment to continue and strengthen the Buy and Renew Scheme.”