The government is proposing €23m for a tourism “Shared Destination” projects under a new €57m allocation from the Shared Island Fund.
These include ;a €20m contribution for various arts, culture and heritage co-operation funds; a €4m contribution to a further phase of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund 2025-2027; and a €10m contribution towards a new shared island nature restoration programme.
Today, Housing Minister James Browne will present to the Cabinet an update on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as applications rise from 100 at the end of 2023 to 1,349 by the end of last year.
Launched in summer 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, the initial goal of transforming 2,000 properties into homes has been expanded to 4,000 due to the grant’s success.
Over 11,300 applications have been received and more than 7,700 approvals by the end of last year. Donegal County Council leads with 1,042 applications, followed by Cork at 970 and Mayo at 673.
