Grant Guide

Vacant Above the Shop Grant Ireland: Project Checklist (2026)

Published 3 August 2026 · WEPRO Renovations

Ireland's Vacant Above the Shop Grant supports the conversion of qualifying vacant upper floors into homes while the ground-floor commercial premises remains in use. The current maximums are:

• up to €95,000 for one residential unit;
• up to €115,000 for two units;
• up to €135,000 for three or more units.

These are maximum grant limits, not automatic payments or typical project prices. The local authority assesses eligibility and eligible expenditure.

This guide was checked against the official Vacant Above the Shop Grant page on 3 August 2026.

Basic eligibility route

The published scheme requires the upper floors to be vacant for at least two years, the building to have been built up to and including 2007, and the ground-floor commercial use to remain. It is intended for qualifying buildings in cities, towns and villages.

The applicant must be a qualifying named owner. Eligible sole traders may apply, but registered companies are not eligible under the published rules. Confirm the ownership structure with the local authority before relying on the grant.

Why feasibility comes before a fit-out quote

Living accommodation above a commercial premises introduces questions that cannot be solved by finishes alone:

• independent and safe access to the upper floors;
• fire separation between commercial and residential uses;
• escape routes, detection and fire strategy;
• accessibility requirements;
• structural capacity and floor condition;
• natural light, ventilation and sanitary services;
• planning permission or exemption status;
• building-control notices, certification and assigned roles.

The exact statutory route is property-specific. An architect, engineer, fire consultant or assigned certifier should address matters within their competence. The national building control information explains that owners, builders and designers each hold responsibilities under the system.

What to collect for an early review

1. Address, Eircode and photographs of every floor.
2. Evidence of the current ground-floor commercial use.
3. Evidence of upper-floor vacancy.
4. Existing plans, planning references and known fire documents.
5. A sketch of the proposed number and arrangement of homes.
6. Details of stairs, entrances, rear access and escape possibilities.
7. Locations and capacities of water, drainage, heating and electricity services.

Expert Advice Grant

A separate Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000 may support qualifying professional feasibility advice. It has its own conditions and should not be treated as a general contractor-design allowance. Ask the local authority which professionals, deliverables and approval sequence it requires before appointing anyone on the assumption that their fee will be reimbursed.

Build an itemised construction scope

Once the professional route is sufficiently clear, separate the construction work into packages:

• protection and continued operation of the commercial premises;
• access, stairs and entrance work;
• structural and fire-separation work;
• roof, windows and external envelope;
• residential layouts, insulation and internal walls;
• plumbing, heating, drainage and ventilation;
• registered electrical or gas work where required;
• kitchens, bathrooms, floors and finishes;
• testing, snagging and completion documents.

Keeping the professional design assumptions beside the contractor scope reduces the risk of pricing a layout that cannot be approved.

The practical boundary

WEPRO can review visible renovation needs, turn approved professional designs into an itemised contractor proposal and coordinate agreed construction work. WEPRO does not determine grant eligibility, planning status, fire compliance or building-control certification. Those decisions remain with the relevant authority and appointed professionals.

Send existing plans, the Eircode, photographs and the current advice through our Vacant Above the Shop Renovations page for a project-specific review.

→ Plan a vacant above-the-shop renovation