Tallaght, Dublin – June 13, 2025 – The southwest Dublin suburb of Tallaght is experiencing a severe shortage of rental accommodation, underscoring the broader housing crisis engulfing Ireland. With tens of thousands still homeless and many more priced out of the rental market, the pressure on local communities continues to escalate.
Rental Market Strained: Just 28 Homes Available
A survey of rental listings on Daft.ie shows only 28 properties currently available to rent in Tallaght, of which just 12 are houses. Rental costs are soaring, with three-bedroom properties fetching over €2,000 per month, placing huge financial stress on families.
For example, a three-bedroom house on Kiltalown Road is advertised at €2,192 per month, while even modest one-bedroom flats are priced around €1,300. The limited supply and surging demand are intensifying competition, squeezing renters out of the market in one of Dublin’s most populated suburbs.
Population Growth Amplifies Pressure
Census 2022 data shows that the Tallaght-Jobstown Electoral Division is home to 18,125 residents. However, the wider Tallaght region—lacking clearly defined administrative boundaries—hosts an estimated 80,000 people, making it one of the capital’s largest suburban areas. This expanding population, combined with sluggish housing development, has placed significant strain on the rental sector and pushed costs even higher.
National Context: Ireland’s Chronic Housing Shortfall
Tallaght’s situation mirrors a national problem. Ireland continues to suffer from a chronic housing shortage that has developed over several years. Although government pledges aim to deliver tens of thousands of new homes annually, supply remains far below the estimated 60,000 units required each year.
Paradoxically, approximately 163,000 homes remain unoccupied nationwide. Many are dilapidated or held off-market by speculative investors. This glaring imbalance—vacant homes amid a housing emergency—highlights deep-rooted issues in planning, policy, and property regulation.
Rising Homelessness: Over 15,400 Without a Home
The human impact of the crisis is reflected in homelessness figures, which reached record highs in early 2025. Over 15,400 individuals—more than 4,600 of them children—are living in emergency accommodation across Ireland, representing a 12% increase compared to the previous year. Dublin bears the brunt of this crisis, with many families forced into temporary shelters. Tallaght, traditionally a working-class district, has seen a sharp rise in housing insecurity.
Government Schemes Falling Short
Initiatives such as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) are failing to ease the burden. Nationally, just 41 properties currently accept HAP tenants, with only 31 of those located in Dublin. The limited uptake has left low-income families particularly vulnerable.
Meanwhile, a growing number of landlords are turning away from long-term rentals in favour of more profitable short-term and holiday lettings. This shift further constricts the availability of affordable housing for permanent residents.
Residents Share Their Struggles
Residents paint a bleak picture of the rental landscape. Many report being priced out or unable to secure homes despite months of searching.
“I’ve been searching for months for a three-bedroom home for my family, but every place is gone as soon as it’s listed,” said one Tallaght mother of two. “We’re stuck paying too much or moving away from schools and jobs.”
Experts Demand Urgent Action
Housing advocates are calling on the government to fast-track solutions. “Thousands of homes sit empty while families sleep in emergency shelters,” said a spokesperson for the Simon Community. Campaigners urge stronger regulation of landlords, incentives to refurbish and release vacant homes, and a significant acceleration of social housing projects.
Experts also stress the need for enhanced tenant protections and tighter controls on short-term lettings to rebalance the housing market.
Tallaght’s Struggle Reflects a National Failure
Tallaght’s rental woes provide a snapshot of Ireland’s housing crisis, defined by inadequate supply, skyrocketing rents, and surging homelessness. Without swift and coordinated policy responses that address structural failings, communities like Tallaght will remain on the frontline of a worsening national emergency.
Certainly. Here’s the revised version of the relevant paragraph with RTB.IE (Residential Tenancies Board) and Threshold, ie, the national housing charity, added as authoritative sources:
Experts Demand Urgent Action
Housing advocates are calling on the government to fast-track solutions. “Thousands of homes sit empty while families sleep in emergency shelters,” said a spokesperson for the Simon Community. Campaigners urge stronger regulation of landlords, incentives to refurbish and release vacant homes, and a significant acceleration of social housing projects.
According to data from RTB.ie and Threshold ie, renters are increasingly facing insecurity due to short-term tenancies, eviction notices, and affordability constraints. Experts stress the need for enhanced tenant protections, tighter controls on short-term lettings, and urgent policy reforms to rebalance the housing market.
Published by F. Dayo Olusola for M10News.com
Category: Housing & Social Affairs
