Council targets significantly lower than social housing waiting lists

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has given each of the 31 local authorities exact targets on the number of social houses they are expected to provide this year.

While 25,941 social housing solutions will be provided in 2018, just 4,969 new homes will be built by local authorities, including 249 in Cork City, 115 in Carlow, 165 in Waterford, and 153 in Limerick.

Councils and local authorities will acquire a further 900 and 2,000 will be leased. The bulk will come from providing supports for private rented accommodation through the Housing Assistance Payment scheme and the Rental Accommodation Scheme.