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Louth has highest delivery of social housing in the State, new study shows
A new league table from the Hardware Association Ireland ranks local authorities on housing delivery, with Louth topping the list at 6.6 homes per 1,000 people, 83% above the national average. The study highlights disparities across counties and aims to encourage best practice sharing.
Louth has emerged as the top local authority for delivering social housing in the first half of 2026, according to a new league table published by the Hardware Association Ireland (HAI). The county delivered 6.6 homes per 1,000 people, a rate 83 per cent above the State average of 3.6 homes per 1,000 people.
The league table, which is based on figures from the Department of Housing, covers new builds and includes drawdowns for vacant home and above-the-shop grants. HAI CEO Martin Markey credited the county's performance to significant activity, particularly in the greater Drogheda rural area.
Laois and Kildare followed with rates of 5.2 and 4.6 homes per 1,000 people, respectively, with South Dublin and Fingal both at 4.5. At the other end, Galway City recorded the lowest rate at 1.9, followed by Limerick at 2.0 and Mayo at 2.1. The Louth rate was nearly three and a half times that of Galway City.
National Picture and Council Evaluation
Nine of the State's 31 local authority areas exceeded the average, while Sligo, Meath, and Cork county matched it, and 19 areas fell below. The HAI's league table evaluates councils not only on delivery rates but also on planning efficiency and progress against local housing targets. The association intends to produce the table twice a year to improve transparency and share best practices.
Martin Markey, HAI chief executive, said the league table provides an "important snapshot of housing delivery," and while many authorities are making progress, there is a need for greater consistency and ambition. He highlighted opportunities in rejuvenating empty homes and above-shop properties for struggling areas.
Perspectives
Hardware Association Ireland: The HAI emphasizes the importance of transparent ranking to encourage collaboration and learning among councils, highlighting both strong performers and those with room for improvement.
How each outlet told it
breakingnews.ie
Framing: The headline emphasizes Louth on top of the ranking, without specifying social housing, but mentions housing delivery in general. — Neutral and factual — presents the rankings and HAI's quotes without overt enthusiasm.
Facts Included:
A new league table ranking local authorities on housing delivery has been published, with Louth on top
Research carried out by the Hardware Association Ireland (HAI)
Published on Monday
Louth tops with 6.6 homes per 1,000 people, 83% above the State rate of 3.6
Laois second with 5.2, Kildare 4.6, South Dublin and Fingal both 4.5
Galway city lowest at 1.9, followed by Limerick at 2.0 and Mayo at 2.1
Rate in Louth was almost three-and-a-half times that in Galway city
Nine of 31 local authorities above State figure; Sligo, Meath and Cork county matched it; remaining 19 below
Study evaluates councils based on housing delivery rates, planning efficiency, and progress against local housing targets
League table intended to improve transparency and support sharing of best practice
By identifying high-performing authorities, the report 'aims to encourage collaboration and help underperforming areas learn from successful approaches to planning and delivery'
Martin Markey, chief executive, said: 'This league table, which we will produce twice per year, provides an important snapshot of housing delivery.'
Quote: 'While many local authorities are making strong progress, there remains a need for greater consistency and ambition in meeting housing demand.'
Quote: 'For local authorities that are challenged in providing new housing, there is ample scope to provide homes by rejuvenating empty homes and above the shop properties.'
Quote: 'We hope this analysis will support constructive dialogue and drive improvements where they are most needed.'
Framing: The headline emphasizes Louth having the highest delivery of social housing, using the term 'social housing' to specify the type of housing measured. — Measured and informative — presents data directly, with a full table and HAI's stated goals.
Facts Included:
Louth delivered more social housing in the first half of the year than any of the other 31 local authorities
Hardware Association Ireland (HAI) released a league table
In the first six months of 2026, Louth delivered 6.6 homes per 1,000 people
Followed by Laois (5.2), Kildare (4.6), South Dublin and Fingal (4.5)
Galway City recorded lowest rate at 1.9, followed by Limerick at 2.0 and Mayo at 2.1
Rate in Louth was almost 3.5 times that in Galway City
State average is 3.6 social homes per 1,000 people
Nine of 31 local authorities recorded above the State figure; Sligo, Meath and Cork county matched it; remaining 19 below
Study evaluates councils based on housing delivery rates, planning efficiency and progress against local housing targets
League table intended to improve transparency and support sharing of best practice
By identifying high-performing authorities, HAI wants to encourage collaboration and help underperforming areas learn
Martin Markey said it intends to produce the league table twice a year; described it as an 'important snapshot'
Quote: 'While many local authorities are making strong progress, there remains a need for greater consistency and ambition in meeting housing demand.'
Quote: 'For local authorities that are challenged in providing new housing, there is ample scope to provide homes by rejuvenating empty homes and above the shop properties.'
Quote: 'We hope this analysis will support constructive dialogue and drive improvements where they are most needed.'
Framing: The headline emphasizes Louth as the best local authority in delivering new and additional housing, but omits that the study focuses on social housing specifically. — Celebratory — 'Louth is in a pole position' and 'doing very well at the moment'.
Facts Included:
Louth topped a league table ranking local authorities' performance in delivering new and additional housing
League table compiled by Hardware Association Ireland
Examined Department of Housing figures for new builds, including draw downs for vacant homes and above the shop grants
First six months of this year
Louth created 6.6 homes per 1,000 people, 83% above the State rate of 3.6
Followed by Laois and Kildare, South Dublin and Fingal
Galway recorded the lowest rate at 1.9
Quote from CEO Martin Markey: 'Louth is in a pole position and it was last year as well when we looked at this initially. So there's a lot of activity in County Louth, particularly in the greater, I suppose what's known as the Drogheda rural part of County Louth, but absolutely it's doing very well at the moment.'
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimLouth topped a league table ranking local authorities' performance in delivering new and additional housing.
ClaimBy identifying high-performing authorities, the HAI wants to encourage collaboration and help underperforming areas learn from successful approaches to planning and delivery.
ClaimMartin Markey stated: "While many local authorities are making strong progress, there remains a need for greater consistency and ambition in meeting housing demand."
ClaimMartin Markey stated: "For local authorities that are challenged in providing new housing, there is ample scope to provide homes by rejuvenating empty homes and above the shop properties."
ClaimMartin Markey stated: "Louth is in a pole position and it was last year as well when we looked at this initially. So there's a lot of activity in County Louth, particularly in the greater, I suppose what's known as the Drogheda rural part of County Louth, but absolutely it's doing very well at the moment."