Wicklow Amongst Strongest Deliverers Of All Modes of Social Houses Over Three-Year Period

Local Councils Are To Be Ranked In ‘League Tables’ On Home Building Success

Local authorities have met just 18% of targets for own build social housing accommodation between 2022 and 2024.

However new-build deliveries in County Wicklow bucked the national trend significantly with 1,206 overall social housing new-build completions against a target of 847 or a 142% success rate.

Meanwhile the local authority achieved 248 ‘Own Build’ social housing new-builds against a target in that three year period of 847, representing just 29% of its goal.

Just over 5,000 social homes were built nationally against a target of 27,400. Minister James Browne is to inform Cabinet of plans for a new league table to track social housing delivery.

In terms of overall provision, including all modes of delivering social houses, Wicklow at 142 per cent was among the best performers between 2022 and 2024 as well as Laois (189 per cent) and Meath (169 per cent).

The local authorities with the lowest figures compared to target were Dublin City Council (49 per cent) and Donegal County Council (46 per cent).

Minister Browne has identified the need for ‘standardisation’ of house types and specifications. There is also a focus from the Department on encouraging ‘modern methods of construction’. New arrangements will become operational later this year.

The Minister will mandate the use of specific design layouts and specifications, as per the Department of Housing’s Design Manual for Quality Housing, for all new-build social housing.