In this article we cover:

  • Grants for home renovations in County Westmeath
  • Grants for vacant and derelict homes
  • Grants for older people and people with disabilities
  • Energy efficiency grants
  • Water, septic tank and lead pipe grants
  • Funding for protected and historic buildings
  • Electric vehicle home charger grants
  • Grants for self-builds

Grants for home renovations in County Westmeath

There are a number of grants and funding schemes available to homeowners, landlords and self-builders in County Westmeath. Some are administered locally by Westmeath County Council, while others are national schemes run by SEAI, ZEVI or government departments.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and funding can change, so always check the latest eligibility criteria before applying.

Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant

Get up to €50,000 to renovate a vacant property for your own use or to rent.

If the property is derelict, an additional €20,000 may be available – that’s up to €70,000 in total.

More information: Westmeath County Council Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant page or GOV.ie Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant page.

Eligible properties must usually be vacant for two years or more and built before 2008.

The grant can apply to vacant houses and buildings being brought back into residential use.

Administered locally by Westmeath County Council.

Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant for Commercial Buildings

This scheme supports the conversion of vacant former commercial or public-use buildings into residential accommodation.

It is designed to help bring vacant buildings and vacant spaces back into use, increase housing supply and support town and village regeneration in County Westmeath.

Eligible works may include repairs and upgrades needed to make the building suitable for residential use, subject to approval by Westmeath County Council.

More information: Westmeath County Council Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund Scheme page.

Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan

This is not a grant, but it may be useful for buyers looking to purchase and renovate a vacant or derelict home in County Westmeath.

The Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan is a government-backed mortgage and loan for the purchase and renovation of homes that qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.

It may apply where the property is vacant, derelict or non-habitable.

More information: Westmeath County Council Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan page.

Repair and Leasing Scheme

The Repair and Leasing Scheme is not a grant, but it may be useful for owners of vacant properties who are willing to lease the finished home for social housing.

Under the scheme, Westmeath County Council or an Approved Housing Body may provide interest-free funding of up to €80,000 per individual home delivered.

The funding is used to bring the property up to rental standard and is repaid through lease payments.

More information: Westmeath County Council Repair and Leasing Scheme page.

Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Traditional Houses

This scheme helps owners of traditional houses get expert conservation advice.

It may be useful if you are considering restoring a traditional house, farmhouse or historic property.

The advice can help you understand the building’s condition, appropriate materials, repair methods and energy upgrade options.

This can work alongside the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant where the property is vacant or being brought back into use.

More information: GOV.ie Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Traditional Houses page.

Housing Adaptation Grants

There are three main private housing grants available to help older people and people with disabilities live safely and independently at home.

These include:

Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability.
Mobility Aids Housing Grant.
Housing Aid for Older People Scheme.

The grants can help cover works such as ramps, accessible bathrooms, stairlifts, mobility aids, essential repairs and other adaptations.

The schemes are means tested and administered by Westmeath County Council.

More information: Westmeath County Council Housing Grants page.

Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability

This grant helps with works that are reasonably necessary to make a home more suitable for a person with a disability.

It can help with larger adaptation works, depending on the applicant’s needs and eligibility.

More information: Westmeath County Council Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability page.

Mobility Aids Housing Grant

This grant helps with basic works to address mobility problems in the home.

It may cover items such as grab rails, access ramps, level-access showers or stairlifts, depending on the applicant’s needs.

More information: Westmeath County Council Mobility Aids Housing Grant page.

Housing Aid for Older People Scheme

This grant helps older people carry out essential repairs or improvements to their home.

It may support works needed to improve the condition of the property and help the applicant continue living safely at home.

More information: Westmeath County Council Housing Aid for Older People Scheme page.

Domestic Lead Remediation Grant

This grant helps with the cost of replacing lead pipes and fittings in your home’s drinking water system.

It is available where your water supply comes from a public or private water supplier.

You may be able to claim towards the cost of replacement works, and in some cases towards testing or inspection to confirm the presence of lead.

The scheme is administered locally by Westmeath County Council.

More information: Westmeath County Council Domestic Lead Remediation Grant page or GOV.ie Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme page.

Domestic Well Grant

This grant helps households that depend on a private water supply.

It can help pay for work such as:

Repairing or upgrading an existing well.
Providing a new well where the existing supply is inadequate.
Installing water treatment systems, filters or UV disinfection units.

You should contact Westmeath County Council before starting any works, as inspection and approval may be required.

More information: Westmeath County Council Environment or Water Services section.

Septic Tank Grant

This grant can help with repairs, upgrades or replacement of a domestic wastewater treatment system.

It may be available where issues are identified through an official inspection under the National Inspection Plan, or where the property is in a qualifying area.

Routine servicing and desludging are not usually covered.

You should not start works before confirming eligibility with Westmeath County Council.

More information: Westmeath County Council Septic Tank Grant page or GOV.ie Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems grant information.

Warmer Homes Scheme

This scheme provides fully funded energy upgrades for eligible homeowners on certain welfare payments.

Your home must have been built and occupied before 2006.

The scheme prioritises older homes with low BER ratings.

Upgrades may include insulation, energy-efficient lighting, ventilation and heating system improvements, depending on the property assessment.

More information: SEAI Warmer Homes Scheme page.

Individual Energy Upgrade Grants

These grants allow you to carry out energy upgrades one step at a time.

Grants are available for measures such as:

Attic insulation.
Wall insulation.
Heat pumps.
Solar thermal.
Solar PV.
Heating controls.

This route may suit homeowners who want to manage individual upgrades themselves.

More information: SEAI Individual Energy Upgrade Grants page.

One Stop Shop

The One Stop Shop route is for homeowners who want a full home energy upgrade managed from start to finish.

It can include insulation, ventilation, heating upgrades, windows, doors and renewable technologies.

The home must achieve a minimum post-works BER target, and grants are usually deducted from the cost up front by the registered provider.

More information: SEAI One Stop Shop page.

Electric vehicle home charger grant

Homeowners in County Westmeath may be able to get up to €300 towards the purchase and installation of an electric vehicle home charger.

You must apply before the charger is installed.

The charger must be installed by a registered electrician and meet the scheme requirements.

More information: SEAI Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant page or ZEVI Home Charging Scheme page.

Built Heritage Investment Scheme

If your home is a protected structure, or in some cases located within an Architectural Conservation Area, you may be able to apply for funding towards conservation and repair works.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme supports the repair and conservation of historic buildings.

Works must be appropriate to the building and usually require professional conservation input.

More information: Westmeath County Council Built Heritage Investment Scheme page.

Historic Thatched Buildings Scheme

This scheme supports the conservation and repair of historic thatched buildings.

It may help with thatch repair, rethatching and related conservation works.

Applications normally require photographs, quotations and relevant reports or method statements.

More information: Westmeath County Council Built Heritage Investment Scheme or Historic Thatched Buildings Stream information.

Historic Structures Fund

The Historic Structures Fund supports larger conservation, refurbishment and reuse projects involving heritage structures.

The scheme is aimed at more substantial projects than routine maintenance and can apply to protected structures and other eligible heritage buildings.

More information: Westmeath County Council Historic Structures Fund page.

Grants for self-builds in County Westmeath

There is currently no general grant that pays for the construction of a new self-build home in County Westmeath.

However, self-builders and renovators may still benefit from related supports, depending on the project, including:

SEAI energy grants for eligible upgrades.
EV home charger grants.
Domestic well grants if the home depends on a private water supply.
Septic tank grants where eligibility criteria are met.
Heritage funding if the project involves a protected or historic structure.
Vacant property grants if restoring an eligible vacant or derelict property.

Self-builders should also check planning permission, building control, wastewater, water connection and energy performance requirements before starting work.

For comprehensive information and assistance, visit Westmeath County Council, SEAI, ZEVI and GOV.ie.