The scheme had been in place only in towns and villages.
A grant of up to €50,000 to refurbish vacant homes, has been extended to rural areas.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, which allows buyers to avail of €30,000 in funding, and a further €20,000 if the building is 'derelict,' had only been in place in towns and villages.
Preliminary Census figures show there are over 8,000 vacant properties in the midlands - over 3,000 in Westmeath, 2,650 in Laois and 2,663 in Offaly.
Independent Roscommon Galway Denis Naughten hopes the grant will ease pressure on the housing market:
Those wishing to apply for the Vacant Property Grant can do so here.
Midlands MEP Demands Stronger Disability Access Laws
Tullamore Lions Club Named All Ireland Club Of The Year
€366k In Compensation Paid Last Year For Pothole Damage To Motorists
Offaly Councillor Expresses Concern On 'Nearest School' Rule For Online Admission
High Court Hears Moving Enoch Burke To Castlerea Prison Was 'Lawful'
IFA Welcome Plan To Dredge Parts Of River Shannon In Offaly
Regional Enforcement Authority To Prevent Illegal Peat Extraction Still Being Formed
Dangers Of Black Ice Highlighted At Road Safety Conference
Westmeath County Council To Host Civic Reception For Athlone Town
Laois Man Looking For Love On First Dates Ireland Tonight
Irish Athletics Legend Ronnie Delany Dies Aged 91
Authorities In Offaly Approve Dredging Along Part Of River Shannon
Laois Man Nears Finish Line Natiowide Charity Walk
€40m Worth Of Irish Peat Exported In 2025
Gardaí Host Firearms Licensing Information Stand In Offaly Today
Irish Rail Services Reduced After Westmeath Graffiti Incident
Met Éireann Issues Nationwide Wind Warning For Entire Country
Midlands Lotto Player Lands €250k
Westmeath Students Aim For Gold At National Entrepreneur Finals
14 Counties See No New Bus Shelter Installations In 2025