Grants Now Available For First Time House Buyers In Wicklow

Grants of up to €50,000 are now available to first time buyers in Wicklow, who opt to purchase a vacant or derelict house.

The funding, which ranges from €30,000 to €50,000, will also be given to 'fresh start' applicants - including those who've left a marriage.

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien says the value of the property won't affect the grant.

• The following categories of works will be eligible for grant assistance, subject to a reasonable cost assessment by the local authority and to any limits for specific works:

• Substructure works, including works to foundations, rising walls, floor slabs, damp-proofing and underpinning

• Structural works to superstructure, including walls, party walls, chimneys, suspended timber floors, structural timbers

• Works to internal walls, stairs, and landings, and internal wall completions including doors, windows, and applied finishes

• External walls completions including doors, windows, sills, and applied finishes

• Roof completions, including flashings, fascias, soffits, gutters, downpipes

• Building services including plumbing, heating, ventilation, electrical services, telecommunications,

• Painting and decoration required because of works carried out

• Extension within the ambit of exempt development under planning regulations, as part of a wider refurbishment

• Necessary external works and site development works carried out within the curtilage of the site

• Professional services associated with works