The scheme had only been in place in towns and villages, but was extended to rural areas last week.
Less than 40 applications have been submitted to avail of a 50,000 grant to refurbish a vacant property in the midlands.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant allocates €30,000 in funding to buyers, and a further €20,000 if the building is 'derelict.'
17 people have submitted an application in Offaly, 11 in Westmeath and just seven have applied in Laois.
The scheme had only been in place in towns and villages, but was extended to rural areas last week.
Laois Fine Gael councillor Aisling Moran says homeowners in rural areas are missing out on another grant:
High Temperatures Continue In Ireland Amid European Heatwave
CAO Deadline Approaching For Midlands Leaving Cert Students
Midlands Farmers Encouraged To Support Rural Communities In Africa
Midlands MEP Invites Women To Share Views On Gender Equality
Midlands Parents Strongly Back Co-Educational Classrooms
Danish Retailer NORMAL Opens In Westmeath
Laois Gardai Arrest Driver Speeding 186 km/h Under Influence Of Cocaine
Water Restored To Westmeath Homes After Burst Main Disruption
Laois Gardai Arrest Driver For Expired Learners Permit
225km Charity Walk Passing Through Midlands Today
Midlands Arrests Made As Part Of Organised Crime Group Investigation
Laois TD Asks Taoiseach To Secure Investment For Food Production Facility
Uisce Eireann Continues Public Appeal For Public To Conserve Water
Offaly Firefighters Raise €2k For Lifesaving Defibrillator Ahead Of Marathon Run
Offaly Set For Major Energy Storage Project Involving Google
Midlands Children Raise More Than €9,000 On National Pyjama Day
Offaly Community Urged To Back Courthouse Transformation Plans
Laois Town Sees Sharp Housing Price Growth Amid Rising Population
Westmeath Man Charged Over Taser Claims “It's Normal For Truck Drivers To Have Them”
Laois Film On Ageing And Care Set To Benefit Future Families And Carers