Not one grant paid out under vacant property scheme in Donegal

It's been claimed that not a single grant under the vacant property refurbishment scheme has been paid out in Donegal.

The scheme, launched last year, has already come in for criticism locally.

Homeowners must pay for and carry out the work in the first instance before the grant money can be drawn down - an aspect that a number of Cllrs in Sligo have already deemed unfair.

The issue was also raised in the Dail this afternoon by Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty who says this kind of red tape is resulting in the scheme effectively failing.

Minister for Finance Michael McGrath defended the scheme saying that it is working: