Cork County Council Launches New Information Brochure for Owners of Vacant and Derelict Properties

Cork County Council has launched a new information guide highlighting the supports available to help transform vacant and derelict properties into homes. The brochure follows a series of 31 community outreach events organised by Cork County Council during 2025 and 2026 to raise awareness of property activation and regeneration initiatives. The ‘Guidance for Owners of Vacant and Derelict Properties’ brochure is available in both Irish and English through the Cork County Library Network and is designed to help property owners understand the financial supports, planning guidance and regeneration initiatives available to bring vacant and derelict buildings back into productive use. Copies of the Bringing Back Homes manual - a technical resource developed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage - have also been distributed to the Cork County Library Network. Vacancy and dereliction can have a significant impact on communities, affecting housing availability, economic activity and the overall vibrancy of towns and villages. Bringing existing properties back into use not only benefits local communities and the environment but also helps property owners maintain the value of their assets and meet their obligations under the Derelict Sites Act 1990. 

 Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Bernard Moynihan, said: ‘Bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use is a key priority for Cork County Council. This new guide gives property owners clear, practical information on the supports available to help restore buildings, provide homes and strengthen the vitality of our towns and villages.’ Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell said: ‘Cork County Council is delivering a range of measures to address long-term vacancy and dereliction throughout the county. These initiatives support key objectives of the Government's Housing Action Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, and the Town Centre First policy, both of which aim to revitalise town and village centres while increasing housing supply.’ Cork County Council has approved almost 1,400 Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applications to date and has paid out more than €26 million towards the refurbishment of 481 properties that have since been returned to use as homes.

 The guidance brochure aims to provide property owners with practical information and signposting to the supports available to help return vacant and derelict buildings to active use, contributing to the sustainable regeneration of towns and villages across County Cork. The brochure outlines the range of supports and guidance available to property owners, including: Croí Cónaithe Scheme - Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Vacant Above the Shop Grant Scheme Buy and Renew Scheme Planning Exemptions and Planning Applications Heritage and Conservation Guidance For further information on the various supports available, contact Cork County Council's Town Regeneration Office at townregenerationoffice@corkcoco.ie.