Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
161. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social, affordable and cost rental homes completed in Cork in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17538/26]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis, including for social housing provision and starter home delivery activity by local authority and delivery partners, for each local authority area. Data from 2022 to Q3 2025 is currently published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, with the Q4 for 2025 data due to be published shortly.
The Q3 2025 Social Housing Construction Status Report shows that there were 1,726 homes at various stages of design and procurement in Cork City, including 528 homes onsite. In Cork County there were 1,150 homes at various stages of design and procurement, including 694 homes onsite. This strong pipeline in both local authorities is a positive indication for delivery in Q4 2025.
In the first 9 months of 2025, 72 new build social homes were delivered in Cork City. In addition, 41 second hand acquisitions and 17 leased social units were delivered. During the same period Cork County delivered 56 new build social homes, 25 second hand acquisitions and 8 leased social homes. Typically, social housing delivery accelerates as the year the progresses, with most delivery occurring in the last quarter, meaning that delivery in the first 3 quarters is not indicative of full year outturn.
In terms of starter homes delivery, almost 19,000 affordable supports have been delivered since the launch of the previous housing plan, Housing for All, including nearly 4,000 in Cork. Within the combined Cork City and Cork County Council areas, from Q1 up to the end of Q3 2025, a total of 838 starter home supports have been delivered, across affordable purchase, cost rental, the First Home Scheme and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The upcoming Q4 figures are expected to show further significant progress in the delivery of starter home supports, both within Cork and nationally.
My Department will continue to engage, on a regular basis, with all of the with delivery partners, around social and starter homes pipelines and delivery, including in the Cork area.
