Search Results for 'Housing Minister'

Galway remains one of the worst-hit counties in Ireland’s housing market, with stubbornly high vacancy levels, derelict properties concentrated across the county, and property prices showing no signs of easing.

In the latest Department of Housing scoring of local authorities, Galway City Council managed to score a big fat zero in relation to its 2022 target for building homes.

Galway has experienced a dramatic fall in housing commencements in early 2025, despite a modest rise in completed dwellings. According to figures from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, just five commencement notices were filed in Galway city between January and April 2025, with 146 in the county, representing a 97.7 per cent drop in the city and an 80 per cent drop in the county compared to the same period in 2024.

Planning rules aimed at preventing investors bulk-buying multiple houses have led to more than 1,000 homes being ring-fenced for owner-occupiers across Galway.

Local Sinn Féin Deputy Sorca Clarke has said that eye-watering rent increases in County Westmeath show that the Government has no plan for a private rental sector that is spiralling out of control.

The temporary waiver of development levies and the refund of Uisce Éireann water and wastewater connection charges must be extended to further boost the supply of new housing stock, newly appointed Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke, has said.

Fitzpatrick & Heavey Homes, a prominent Irish property developer, has announced the commencement of construction on its highly anticipated new housing development, Gort an Locha estate, in Moate.

Local Fianna Fáil Deputy, Robert Troy, has welcomed confirmation from the Housing Minister, Darragh O’Brien that Moate will soon benefit from an affordable housing scheme to incorporate some 22 housing units within the town.

Housing is the biggest issue of our time, it is the foundation on which a decent society is built. Food, shelter and education. Yet rents in Galway have risen by over 16% to over €1700 in the last year. Struggling families are paying over €1500 to rent a three-bedroom house in our city. There are now nearly 250 people homeless across our city.

Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway Walsh has said that the latest report on house rental prices has shown the government has 'lost control' of the housing market.