First-time buyers are being encouraged to avail of a new grant for the refurbishment of empty premises - on the main streets of towns and villages across the country.
The €50 million Croí Cónaithe Fund aims to bring vacant and underused buildings, such as homes over-a-shop, back into residential use - but opposition parties claim more is needed to tackle dereliction.
The empty or derelict properties will have to be used as principal private residences, must be vacant for two or more years, and built before 1993.
Grants of a maximum of €50,000 will be delivered through local authorities under the scheme.
