Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 March 2026
325. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the number of households currently on the social housing waiting list in Galway City and County Galway; the average waiting time for allocation of a social housing unit in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21116/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).
The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2024, is available on my Department's website, along with all summaries since 2011 at www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/.
Details of households qualified for social housing support for each local authority are included in tables 1.1 in the report. The report shows that there were 1,942 households qualified for social housing in Galway City and 1,232 households qualified for social housing in Galway County whose need was unmet in 2024.
The SSHA 2025 process is currently underway and I expect to publish the summary report soon.
Data on the average waiting time for allocation of a social housing unit is not held by my Department. The allocation of social housing support to qualified households is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with its allocation scheme made in accordance with Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Social Housing Allocation Regulations 2011, as amended. This legislation requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme which specifies, among other things, the manner of, and the order of priority for, the allocation of dwellings to households on the housing and transfer lists.
