Daft.ie’s rental reports indicate that in certain counties, including Dublin, Cork, and Galway, over 60% of available rental properties are now priced above €2,000 per month, making housing affordability increasingly unattainable for ordinary families.
By M10News Investigations
Ireland is grappling with an unprecedented housing crisis, with tens of thousands of families on social housing waiting lists, rents rising far faster than wages, and construction failing to meet national demand a situation compounded by policy gaps and uneven oversight. Our investigation reveals the human, economic, and systemic dimensions of this escalating emergency.
The Numbers Behind the Crisis
Official data paints a stark picture. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) reports that in 2024, housing completions totaled just 22,000 far below the estimated 35,000 units needed annually to keep pace with population growth and demand.
Meanwhile, the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) shows that average rents in Dublin increased by 12% year-on-year, outstripping wage growth of just 4.5% nationally.
The Human Impact
Behind these statistics are real people struggling to secure stable homes. Mary O’Connor, a single mother from Cork, has been on the council housing waiting list for more than three years.
“Every month the rent goes up, and we’re just falling further behind. I’m worried about where my children will live next year,” she says.
Homelessness continues to rise. According to Simon Communities of Ireland, over 11,000 people are currently in emergency accommodation, many of them families with children.
Policy and Government Response
The Department of Housing reports that 14,500 social housing units were delivered nationwide last year. Yet, FOI requests obtained by M10News reveal that in counties like Dublin, Cork, and Louth, council housing allocations only met 45–50% of the current demand, leaving thousands of households in temporary accommodation or private rentals.
Local authorities point to bureaucratic delays and planning restrictions as key obstacles. Dublin City Council noted that although over 8,000 housing units were planned, only 4,200 were completed due to “regulatory and funding constraints.”
Analysis: Where Policy Fails
Our investigation shows a mismatch between national policy claims and local realities. While government statements suggest an improving housing supply, detailed data analysis reveals that high-demand areas continue to suffer shortages.
- Dublin, Cork, and Galway account for 60% of waiting lists but only 35% of new builds.
- Average rents in Dublin increased 12% last year, while social housing allocations fell short of 50% of total demand.
Dr. Sean Murphy, housing analyst at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), warns:
“The gap between supply and demand is widening. Without immediate, targeted policy reforms, the crisis will deepen, particularly in urban centers where rental inflation is most acute.”
The Role of Private Rentals and Affordability
The rental market, which houses nearly 40% of Irish households, has been under intense pressure. Rising demand combined with stagnant wage growth has made affordability nearly impossible for many.
“I had to move three times in two years because rents kept increasing,” says John Kelly, a tenant in Dublin. “It feels like stability is out of reach for ordinary people.”
Our review of Daft.ie data shows that in high-demand neighborhoods, median rents now exceed €2,200 per month, compared with €1,800 just two years ago.
NGO Perspectives and Calls for Reform
Threshold Ireland and the Irish Council for Social Housing have criticized current policies as insufficient. According to their reports, the government’s target of 35,000 annual housing completions is not being met consistently, and emergency accommodation for homeless families is increasingly relied upon as a stopgap.
Leah Farrell, housing policy expert at Threshold Ireland, states:
“The crisis isn’t just about building more houses; it’s about ensuring affordability, accessibility, and sustainable community planning.”
Looking Ahead: Solutions and Accountability
Experts agree that immediate action is necessary:
- Increase social housing allocations in high-demand counties.
- Implement policies to stabilize rent and protect tenants.
- Streamline planning processes to accelerate construction.
- Provide transparency in government reporting to track real progress.
Without systemic reforms, Ireland’s housing crisis is poised to worsen, straining families, communities, and the economy. Original data, FOI documents, and on-the-ground reporting indicate that the gap between policy rhetoric and reality continues to grow highlighting the urgent need for informed, data-driven interventions.
M10News Investigations Desk | Contact: investigations@m10news.com
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