“Major Opportunity” for Donegal in €34m social housing initiative
The Sinn Féin councillor said the initiative has the potential to deliver meaningful and visible benefits for communities throughout Donegal.
South Inishowen Councillor Jack Murray, a member of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA), has welcomed the approval of a new €34 million Social Housing pilot initiative under the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021–2027, describing it as a significant opportunity for Donegal to bring vacant and derelict public buildings back into use as social housing.
The scheme, funded through the European Regional Development Fund and co-financed by the Irish Government, will see a 60% contribution from the EU and 40% from national funding. The initiative will be managed by the NWRAIt, which is set to launch a competitive call for proposals from local authorities across the region.
The Sinn Féin councillor said the initiative has the potential to deliver meaningful and visible benefits for communities throughout Donegal.
“This is a very welcome and practical funding opportunity for Donegal and for the wider Northern and Western Region,” he said.
“The aim of this initiative is simple but very important, which is to help local authorities bring vacant and derelict council-owned buildings back into use as high-quality, energy-efficient social housing.”
The Buncrana councillor highlighted the scale of housing challenges currently facing the county, pointing to long waiting lists and the negative impact of dereliction in towns and villages.
“For Donegal, this could be a significant opportunity. We know the pressure that exists on housing waiting lists. We know the impact dereliction has on our towns and villages. We know that many older buildings and public assets have the potential to be brought back to life if the right funding and support are in place,” he added.
The scheme will focus on the renovation and adaptive reuse of vacant or derelict buildings owned by local authorities. It aims to deliver homes for those on housing waiting lists, including older people, individuals with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, and families in need of housing.
Cllr Murray said the initiative stands out for its ability to address multiple challenges at once.
“This is about delivering social homes, reducing dereliction, improving energy efficiency, and supporting the regeneration of town and village centres,” he said.
“It is exactly the kind of practical regional investment we need — turning vacant buildings into homes, strengthening communities, and delivering visible benefits for people on the ground.”
However, Cllr Murray cautioned that securing funding will require strong preparation and ambition from Donegal County Council, as the scheme will operate on a competitive basis.
“Donegal cannot afford to be passive here,” he said. “What is asked of us now is ambition and readiness. Donegal County Council must identify suitable vacant or derelict Local Authority-owned buildings, prepare strong applications, demonstrate housing need, show value for money, and prove that projects can be delivered within the required timeframe.”
He emphasised the importance of proactive planning and collaboration to ensure the county is well-positioned to compete for funding.
“This is a competitive call, so we need to be organised and ready to put forward credible projects that can score strongly and deliver real benefits for communities across the county,” he said.
Cllr Murray added that the next step will be for the call to open, allowing Donegal County Council to begin assessing potential projects.
“As a member of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, I am very pleased to see EU and national funding being targeted in this way.”
“The focus now must be on ensuring Donegal gets the strongest possible chance of securing funding. That will require elected members and officials working constructively together.
“This is a chance to bring buildings back to life, provide homes for people who need them, and invest directly in the future of our towns and villages. Donegal must be ready to seize it,” Councillor Murray added.