Cavan among counties with low level of housing

The Housing Minister says the Government’s Housing for All plan has “delivered for Cavan”, despite the county having one of the lowest levels of housing competitions, commencements or planning permissions granted.

Minister Darragh O’Brien says “while there’s a lot of work still to do, we can see already, after the first 12 months, that the plan is working in Cavan and across the country”.

However, figures up to the end of June show just 193 homes were completed in the year from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. That figure places Cavan fifth from the bottom of the national table. Only Galway city, Sligo, Longford and Leitrim had a lower number of homes completed over the year.

That figure is also a drop on the previous year. Some 234 dwellings were completed in the 12 months from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

The decline is also reflected in the number of commencement notices issued for residential units in Cavan over the 12 months period.

A total of 274 were issued locally, the sixth lowest in the country. Sligo, Carlow, Roscommon, Longford and Leitrim were the only counties to record less.

Cavan’s also close to the bottom of the table for the number of residential units granted planning permission over the last year.

A total of 294 were granted permission, the sixth lowest figure. Again, Sligo, Carlow, Roscommon, Longford and Leitrim were the only counties with lower numbers.

However, the number of planning permissions granted almost doubled in Cavan when compared with the year previous. By comparison, 150 new dwellings were granted planning permission in the country over the period July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

Minister O’Brien claims a number of other measures implemented by the Government have benefitted people in Cavan, including the creation of six new posts within Cavan County Council’s housing department.

He also cites the introduction of exemptions from planning permission for converting vacant commercial premises into homes. The Department of Housing says 39 residential units have been provided across Cavan as part of the scheme since 2018.

A total of 62 new social homes were also delivered across the county in 2021.

The work of Cavan County Council was praised by junior Minister for Planning and Local Government Peter Burke: “Cavan County Council is playing a central role in delivering housing in the county.

“Over the past 12 months the Government has provided resources and funding to the council to help it deliver for people in Cavan,” he said.