Changes will help more people in mortgage arrears stay in their homes 
Over 7,000 people already benefitting from the scheme 
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, TD, today announced a number of significant improvements to the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme. 
The changes which are being introduced to reflect current market conditions in the residential housing sector aim to ensure households at risk of losing their homes due to mortgage arrears and who need to avail of the MTR scheme can do so.
The MTR scheme offers households in acute, unsustainable mortgage arrears situations, with little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances, the chance to surrender ownership of their home and become a social housing tenant, but crucially stay living in their home. It is part of a suite of measures which are now in place to help address long-term mortgage arrears.
Since the scheme commenced in 2012, 2,503 case have been completed benefitting 7,271 people (3,922 adults and 3,100 children).
The changes announced today reflect current housing market conditions and follow a commitment by the Minister to keep the eligibility criteria of the scheme under appraisal 
The key changes, which will apply from 1 November 2024, are:

• A €15,000 increase to the positive equity limit across all regions to align with any changes to local house prices and market conditions.
• Increases to the purchase price thresholds to take account of current residential housing market conditions: 
  
  
  • €515,000 (up from €450,000) for a house and €385,000 (up from €335,000) for an apartment or townhouse in the areas of Dublin. Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Cork and Galway 
  • €395,000 (up from €345,000) for a house and €265,000 (up from €230,000) for an apartment or townhouse in the rest of the country 

Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien said:
“These changes will ease the burden for many households experiencing mortgage distress. The prospect of losing your home is extremely worrying and stressful. The Mortgage to Rent scheme offers a practical solution and gives individuals and families peace of mind by allowing them to remain living in their home despite facing severe mortgage difficulties. 
“It’s clear that there is a continued demand for the scheme, as since its launch, it has helped over 7,000 people remain living in their homes avoiding the upheaval of having to move out of their house and leave their community. 
“This is why I have updated the criteria of the scheme in order to ensure that more people can avail of it meaning that it continues to be a sustainable solution that keeps people living in their own homes.
“I would encourage anyone dealing with mortgage arrears to contact the Money Advice and Budgeting Service or Abhaile, the mortgage arrears support service, for free advice and support.”
A strengthened MTR scheme is a commitment in both the Programme for Government and Housing for All, the government’s national plan on housing to 2030 and in the Mortgage Arrears Review Group Report, of which the Department was a member.
For information on the scheme, visit www.mortgagetorent.ie

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has today (Tuesday 29 October) announced the further development of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme to address retrospective costs, following recent Cabinet approval to explore the best method of doing so. 
 
The Minister is establishing a Retrospective Costs Pathfinder for the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme to be developed from a representative sample of multi-unit developments which will be determined working in conjunction with stakeholder representatives. 
 
This work is being undertaken in order to identify and develop an appropriate process to address retrospective issues more widely with the objective being to have a process that provides a streamlined approach, ease of engagement by applicants and ensures good governance regarding Exchequer funding.
 
Speaking today while visiting Beacon South Quarter Minister O’Brien emphasised, “Government agreed to the principle of retrospection when we approved the establishment of a remediation scheme. We know that this is a complex issue but it’s a nettle we have been determined to grasp and I am totally committed to the principle of retrospective payment of remediation costs already incurred in line with the parameters of the scheme. 
 
The purpose of the pathfinder approach we are now taking is to inform the future scheme which will help identify the most effective process for the funding of eligible works retrospectively. Our approach must be grounded in what works best for those affected, and for the taxpayer.”
 
In line with the Government decision, Minister O’Brien will brief Cabinet on the outcome of the pathfinder including an estimate of costs for the retrospective aspects of the scheme, based on lessons learned from the exercise.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and local Fingal East TD, Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the decision made at Cabinet today to support the hosting of The Open and the AIG Women’s Open at Portmarnock Golf Club.
 
Minister O’Brien said The Open would bring significant benefits to the local economy of Portmarnock and Malahide and pledged his continued support for the hosting of the tournament.
 
Commenting he said, “This is something I have worked with my Cabinet colleagues on for some time now and I really believe this will bring huge benefits to the community of Portmarnock and surrounding areas. It is estimated that up to 245,000 tickets to The Open could be sold per iteration.  Should Ireland host three iterations of The Open and at least one AIG Women’s Open this could result in a cumulative gross economic impact of €338 million.
 
“Today’s decision marks a significant step forward and I understand my colleagues in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Art, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media will continue to engage with Portmarnock Golf Club and The R&A in order to progress this further – something which I will strongly support.  
 
“The Open has only been hosted twice outside of England or Scotland and on both occasions it was hosted in Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. It’s the oldest and most prestigious golf championship and I believe there is no better place for it to be held than in Portmarnock,” he concluded.
 
ENDS

€45m already paid out in relation to 867 homes 
Applications received so far exceed 10,000
Rapid increase in rate of grant payments
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD has today published the latest figures relating to the vacant property refurbishment grant which show that, already, approximately €45M has been paid out in relation to the refurbishment of more than 860 homes. 
The figures which outline applications, approvals and payments under the scheme up to the end of September 2024, also show the exponential increase in the rate of grants issued to homeowners following completion of work. The grant is paid out upon completion of all the works involved and as the scheme continues, more and more completions are coming on stream.  In Q3 2024, 336 grants were paid out, this compares to 226 in Q2 2024 and 146 in Q1 2024. 
Overall, since the launch of the grant just over two years ago, there have been 10,097 applications, 6,713 approvals and 867 grants issued.
Under the vacant property refurbishment grant, you can receive a payment of up to €70,000 to turn a vacant or derelict house or building into your permanent home or a rental property.
Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien said: 
“Today’s figures show that the vacant property refurbishment grant has been an extremely popular and effective measure. It has already facilitated the return to use of hundreds of previously vacant or derelict homes which is not only more sustainable but has resulted in increased supply, and ultimately, provided much needed homes for people.
“In the coming weeks and months, the number of grant payments will continue to ramp-up as thousands of the successful applicants complete the refurbishment work on their properties and drawdown their full grant awards. 
“To ensure the effective implementation of the grant, under Housing for All, this Government resourced local authorities to support development of specific vacant homes teams, and I want to compliment the local authorities and these teams for their work in making the grant so successful. 
“As well as providing homes for people, the scheme has also helped to bring vibrancy back into our towns and cities in a sustainable way by making using of existing housing stock.” 
To date, Donegal County Council has the highest number of applications (934), approvals (614) and grant payments (60). Cork County and Mayo County Councils have had the second and third highest number of applications respectively. 
Full details are available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#2024  

The Taoiseach today, 21 October 2024, launched the Report of the Dublin City Taskforce at the GPO on O’Connell Street.
 
The Taskforce was appointed by the Government in May 2024 to take a holistic view of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin City Centre, north and south.  David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, served as Independent Chair of the Taskforce and presented his report to the Taoiseach in September 2024. 
 
The Taskforce was mandated to take an evidence-informed approach in its work and to provide recommendations to improve the City Centre’s public realm, safety, and experience. The goal is to make Dublin City Centre a more thriving, attractive, and safe cityscape; and a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit.
 
To deliver on these missions, the Taskforce identified ten ‘Big Moves’ that they recommend should be addressed.
 
The Department of the Taoiseach will now convene an Interdepartmental Group to examine the Taskforce’s recommendations and prepare a Report by mid-December for consideration by Government. 
 
 
Speaking at the launch, Taoiseach Simon Harris, said: 
 
“When I became Taoiseach, I said we needed a plan of action to renew and our city centre.
 
We need our city centre to be a place that attracts more people to live, work, do business and visit. I welcome the taskforce’s recommendations particularly the focus on revitalising O’Connell street and making great use of the iconic GPO building.
 
I want a new vision for our capital city for the young, old and tourists who want to continue to visit our city centre time and time again. It deserves a brighter future. It deserves dedicated resources, and it deserves a vision. We now have it.”
 
 
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said:
 
"I welcome the launch of this important report which sets out recommendations to revitalise Dublin city centre.
 
This Government is committed to breathing new life into our capital city - for the communities who live and work there, and for those who come to visit Dublin city centre. The publication of this report is another key step in that process, and we will now consider the ‘Big Moves’ put forward by the Taskforce."
 
 
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman, said:
 
“One of the most welcome aspects of this report is the emphasis it places on the city centre as a city centre as somewhere to live and not just to work.
 
Quality public spaces, parks and public transport are key to ensuring that our existing city centre communities can thrive and are joined by lots more residents in the future.''
 
 
Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr James Geoghegan added: 
 
“Dublin is a fantastic place, a city steeped in culture, arts, music, and history. The implementation of the recommendations in this Report will deliver a Dublin that the whole country can be proud of.”
 
 
 Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee said:
 
“I will continue to prioritise safety and security on the streets of our capital city. It is imperative that people are safe and feel safe.
 
Garda numbers are strengthening and 64% of the latest Garda intakes were allocated to Dublin.
 
I am ensuring Gardaí have more resources and better equipment with which to police our streets.
 
I have also begun the rollout of body worn cameras, starting with Dublin Gardaí, which will provide them with a vital evidence gathering tool when investigating incidents, and I will legislate for facial recognition technology to strengthen this.”
 
 
Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, said:
 
“Today's launch is good news for the city centre.  The recommendations contained in this Report will dovetail with the good work already underway to rejuvenate the city centre including that of the North East Inner City Initiative and the City Coordination Office. 
 
 This Report and the recommendations within will be a vital resource in informing this Governments continued ambition to improve our city centre, of that I am sure.”
 
 
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien, said:
 
“This is a really welcome report which seeks to complement the good work already underway to improve our City Centre’s public realm, safety and experience.
 
 As someone born and raised in Dublin, and as Minister with overall responsibility for Local Government, I want to see this City thrive and to make it an even more attractive place in which to live, work, visit and invest.
 
This report will be a catalyst for regeneration, development and growth and I want to thank the taskforce for all their hard work.”
 
 
David McRedmond, Independent Chair of Dublin City Centre Taskforce and CEO, An Post, stated:
 
“It’s great to be here today to launch this Report. When the Taoiseach asked me to Chair this Taskforce, I was honoured and excited to be able to contribute to the rejuvenation of our fantastic city. 
 
As you will see in our Report, the Taskforce has identified ten ‘Big Moves’ that we recommend should be addressed to get our city back to its best so locals and visitors alike can enjoy what our wonderful city has to offer.”
 
The Dublin City Taskforce Report is available here: Dublin City Taskforce Report