A section of the 220 acre farm of land in Gortmore, Feenagh
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09 Mar 2026
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09 Mar 2026
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Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien
OVER 100 properties in Limerick received planning permission exemptions to convert empty commercial buildings into homes since 2018.
Figures published this Tuesday show a total of 101 notifications were received by Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) to change vacant commercial premises into homes between 2018-23.
If realised, these have the potential to result in 202 new homes across the county.
Limerick is second to Dublin in the country with the highest level of interest and applications to convert derelict commercial properties into residential homes.
Turning vacant properties into occupied homes is a key pillar of the government’s Housing for All Plan. The planning exemptions remove the requirement for planning permission to convert certain types of vacant commercial properties into homes until the end of 2025.
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Since the exemption was extended to include public houses in 2022, nine notifications for a change of use relating to vacant public houses have been received by LCCC during 2022 and 2023, which would provide 20 new homes if developed.
Minister O’Brien said: “This is one of a suite of measures which has proved effective in encouraging potential homeowners to convert vacant commercial buildings to residential use such as ‘above shop’ living in Limerick, to increase housing supply and drive the regeneration of our town centres.
“Refurbishment and the return to use of such commercial properties helps to reduce pressure on existing housing stock, increase supply, and ultimately, provides much needed homes for people in more vibrant communities across the country.’’
Nationally in 2023, a total of 267 change of use notifications were received by local authorities across the country.
Properties with a previous commercial use showing the highest potential include former shops (30%), followed by services such as barbers and accountants (18%), offices (18%) and public houses (12%).
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