West Clare Councillor Calls For Changes To Vacant Property Grant Drawdown System

Clare FM

A West Clare councillor admits she supports a Sinn Féin proposal for the drawdown system of a popular Government grant to be changed. Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District Rita McInerney is seeking to increase the amount of money an successful applicant can draw down under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which is currently worth up to €70,000. A long-standing criticism of the grant is that funding can only be drawn down after the applicant has completed the works on the property and Sinn Féin has previously proposed introducing a staged payment process for the grant. Doonbeg Councillor McInerney says feedback she's received has suggested payments under the grant could be made on a phased basis.