Mayo County Council has announced that it has paid out €2 million under the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment grant, a scheme which was launched two years ago.
A grant of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties and €70,000 for derelict properties.
To date the Vacant Homes Office has received 577 applications under the grant with 365 applicants having been approved thus far.
The geographical breakdown shows 74 approved applicants from Ballina, 68 from Castlebar, 80 from west Mayo area and 143 from the Claremorris.
Of those applicants who have been approved a grant, 54% of them are applying for the derelict top up grant and 46% of applicants applying for the vacant property grant.
Tom Gilligan, Director of Services at Mayo County Council said: "The €2 million in grant payments have been paid across 41 individual households.
"This figure represents 41 homes that would have been vacant and in some cases derelict which now because of the grant are completely refurbished and back in residential use.
"The grants and schemes that our Vacant Homes Office administer have real potential to change the landscape of our towns and rural communities. The grants support property owners to bring back much needed vacant and derelict properties into residential use."
Deirdre Swords, Vacant Homes Officer for Mayo County Council said: "Part of my job as Vacant Homes Officer is to ensure that as many people around the county are aware of the supports available to bring properties back into residential use.
"The options are varied and can suit people in all walks of life."
There are currently around 9,000 vacant properties in Mayo and almost 6,000 holiday homes.
Independent Mayo councillor, Harry Barrett, has called for urgent action to get more of these properties back onto the market and available for people to live in.
He has described the housing crisis in Mayo as "shocking".
"I know a family right now who are fearful of becoming homelessness because the landlord wants the property back, and the council cannot source a suitable property in the Castlebar area for them," he said.
"Now, this is no reflection on council staff. They are under huge stress, and they can't magic up properties that don't exist. They're doing their level best under very trying circumstances themselves."
Mr Barrett is putting forward a motion at the next meeting of Mayo County Council to enforce the Derelict Sites Act of 1990 to owners of long term vacant properties in town centres.
