Laois top of the class in delivering new social housing
Strong start for Laois County Council in 2026 but disappointment over the Government’s housing targets for the county
Laois County Council performed top of the class in meeting targets for delivering new-build social homes, according to new figures from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Laois was set a target of delivering 88 new-build social houses in 2026 and during the first three months of this year the local authority had already delivered 62, meaning they have reached 70.5% of their target.
The breakdown of figures shows that 42 new homes were delivered through Approved Housing Bodies, 15 through Approved Housing Body turnkey developments, and four through Part V delivery. However, just one home was recorded as being Laois County Council's 'own build'.
Last year Laois County Council delivered 204 new-build social homes through the various avenues.
There was major disappointment last week regarding the Government’s housing targets for the county over the next three to four years.
The Housing Delivery Action Plan for 2027 to 2030 was unveiled at the meeting of Laois County Council on Monday, July 27.
According to the guidelines set out by the Department, the target for new build social homes in Laois is 415 between 2027 and 2030, while the minimum amount of affordable homes is set at just 33.
The intended delivery of these homes would see 97 built in 2027, 97 in 2028, 108 in 2029 and 130 in 20230. Within this mix of housing, 240 of these homes should be one-bedroom, 80 two-bedroom, 76 three-bedroom and 19 four-bedroom.
Presenting the plan to councillors, Director of Services at Laois County Council, Donal Brennan, added that 370 starter homes are to be built during this period. He explained that this is a catch-all term for cost-rental and affordable homes and first home schemes.
The plan stirred a significant reaction from the Laois councillors, all of whom agreed that 33 is simply not enough affordable homes for the county. Many councillors also pointed out the excessive number of one-bedroom homes in comparison to homes more suitable for families such as three and four-bedroom homes.
Commenting on the figures for the first quarter of 2026 Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD gave a snapshot of the national picture.
“The strong start to the delivery of new-build social homes in 2026 is very welcome,” he said.
“In the first quarter of this year, we built twice as much as the same period last year, a year where we ultimately delivered a record number of new-build social homes. That was a serious uptick in public delivery.
“I want to be clear that while I welcome figures like this, which show momentum, there’s no space for complacency. I won’t accept it and I have not taken my foot off the pedal. There’s too far yet to go. I know people are depending on us to get this right and get social and publicly delivered homes built in communities right across the country. But we’re going in the right direction and that matters.
“The full picture regarding delivery will also be much clearer towards the end of the year as local authority delivery is typically slowest in the first three months – with a significant part of delivery actually occurring in the second half of the year.”