CONSTRUCTION numbers in the latest government data show a 67% increase in the delivery of new-built social homes in Donegal.
On Thursday, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD published the latest new-build social housing delivery statistics, which reveals 2025 was a record year nationally for social housing construction.
According to the report, nationally in 2025, 9,089 newly built social homes were delivered, an increase of 1,256 homes (16%) compared to 2024. This is the highest number of new social homes built in any given year since the foundation of the state.
In Donegal, 140 new-built social homes were completed in 2025. That represents a 67% increase compared to the developments in 2024. In total, 388 new-build social homes have been delivered in Donegal since 2022.
Welcoming the allocation, Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue said: “This funding will ensure that thousands of our citizens living in social housing across our county will benefit from warmer, healthier, and more comfortable homes.
“By significantly increasing the grant per property to €38,000, the government is making sure that the retrofits are deep and meaningful, directly tackling fuel poverty and reducing energy bills for families across Donegal.”
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said: “We are now seeing an unprecedented level of delivery of new‑ built social homes across the country – including in Donegal.”
“This reflects the scaling‑up of local authority building programmes, increased output from Approved Housing Bodies and the acceleration of construction activity across the country.”
“But these homes are not just units; they represent security, stability and opportunity for thousands of households.”
“While this is a record year, we know the work must continue. My focus now is on sustaining this momentum, scaling delivery even further and ensuring that more people in Donegal benefit from access to high-quality, secure housing.”
The future of housing is looking bright, especially in Donegal as Minister Browne’s opening year in the Department of Housing saw significant policy changes made specifically to support the boasting of social housing delivery in the upcoming years.
The full published data report, including a county-by-county breakdown can be found on the government website, gov.ie Social Housing New Build by Local Authority 2025.
