Expert Advice Grant

This Grant provides funding up to €5,000 (the total grant sought cannot exceed 67% of the overall cost inclusive of VAT) towards having an appropriately qualified professional provide expert advice to the owner of:

• A building with a commercial element and vacant above the shop space who may avail of the Vacant Above the Shop Grant to convert / refurbish the vacant space into residential unit(s), with the commercial element remaining.
• A former vacant commercial / public use building who may avail of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Conversion of former Commercial Building / public use building to convert the entire building into more than one residential unit.

Who can apply?

The Expert Advice Grant is available to named individuals who own the building for which the advice grant is being applied, or who are actively engaged in purchasing the building.  The Grant is not currently available to registered companies, developers, undertakings, etc

Only one Expert Advice Grant can be applied for per building.

Eligibility

The Expert Advice Grant is available to owners of buildings where there is vacant above the shop space and where the commercial element is remaining in use (shop, office, former public use) who are:

• considering converting / refurbishing the vacant space outside of the commercial element into self-contained residential unit(s) and intending / considering applying for the Vacant Above the Shop Grant to support the conversion / refurbishment work to bring the vacant space in the building into residential use.

The Grant is also available to owners of vacant and derelict former commercial / public use buildings who are:

• considering a change of use of the entire building from commercial to residential where more than one residential unit will be created and intending / considering applying for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Conversion of Commercial / Public Use Building.

Note: the Expert Advice Grant is not available where the entire commercial building is being converted into one residential unit.

Checklist for the Expert Advice Grant

All applications will need the following:

• Application form (below). Fully completed and signed.
• Proof that the building (in the case of entire conversion of former commercial building) / vacant space outside of the commercial element has been vacant for a period of two years or more immediately prior to application.
• Proof that the building was built before 2008.
• Proof of ownership or evidence of active negotiations to purchase the building if seeking approval in principle.
• Site location map.
• Clear and current photographs of the building as listed below:
  • View of exterior (front and rear)
  • General view of site/context
  • Roof structure where visible
  • Interior views (details such as current use of building/space, windows, doors, stairs, entrances
  • Related out-buildings
• A quotation from your chosen expert.
• Proof of the relevant qualifications from the chosen professional.

Application form

Scheme Outline

Appealing the decision of your Application