Above The Shop Grant

From 31 March 2026, grants are being made available for the conversion or refurbishment of vacant space in buildings with a commercial element into residential units for occupation as a principal private residence and/or for residential units that will be made available for rent and where these tenancies are registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). 

Please note that these developments are subject to appropriate planning permission being in place. 

These grants are part of a suite new targeted measures aimed at unlocking unused spaces in cities, towns and villages by converting vacant and derelict buildings and unused above the shop areas into residential homes.

The new initiatives are:

• The Vacant Above the Shop Grant, which will provide funding of up to €135,000 to support bringing above the shop vacant spaces into residential use, where the commercial element is remaining.
• Targeted Top-Up of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, aligning it with the new grant for conversion of above the shop vacant spaces, with additional funding of up €40,000 where entire former commercial buildings are being converted into two or more residential units and where the commercial element is not remaining. This provides up to €110,000 in support when bringing back up to 3 or more units.
• The Expert Advice Grant, funding of up to €5,000 towards professional advice on conversion of above the shop spaces and of entire former commercial properties to residential units.

While the grant is referred to as the Vacant Above the Shop Grant, the grant is also available for single storey buildings where additional vacant space outside of the commercial element, within the building, can be converted for residential use. 

For more information please contact us at vacanthomes@tipperarycoco.ie