New builds in Donegal increase by 88 per cent


HOUSE commencements in Donegal for the first two months of 2024 are up 88 per cent on the previous year. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has published its monthly data on the number of Commencements Notices (residential construction starts) for February 2024. The data shows that in the first two months of […]


Drop in number of vacant social homes brought back into use


THERE was a drop in the number of vacant social homes brought back into use in Donegal last year, according to new figures from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In 2023 a total of 73 units were brought back into use, down from 78 in 2022 and down from 84 in 2021. […]


Homeless figures for county jump ten per cent


THE number of people recorded as being homeless in Donegal has risen by ten per cent, according to the latest report from the Department of Housing. The monthly report for November shows 62 people were homeless in the county up from 56 the previous month. Across the north west 144 adults needed assistance from local […]


Work on new defective concrete block scheme ‘gaining momentum’


DONEGAL County Council has confirmed that the transitioning of applications from the previous scheme to the enhanced scheme  is ‘gaining momentum.’  A Council spokesperson has today confirmed that around 350 homeowners will receive clarity on their application in the coming weeks. In early July the Council confirmed that the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme […]


Defective concrete block scheme delayed again


THE implementation of the defective concrete block scheme has been delayed again.  The implementation and announcement of final details in the defective concrete block scheme was expected to take place tomorrow. However, the Mica Action Group has confirmed it will not take place tomorrow but rather in the coming days or early next week. A […]


New research into defective blocks commissioned


RESEARCH to investigate the impact of pyrrhotite in concrete blocks has been commissioned by the Department of Housing and is due to start soon. The Department of Housing has confirmed that research to investigate pyrrhotite oxidation in concrete blocks and the potential impact of deleterious materials on foundations has been commissioned and will commence shortly. It comes as […]


Funding announced for Donegal biodiversity projects


Funding has been allocated to Donegal groups to deliver local biodiversity projects. Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, today announced a doubling of funding to the Local Biodiversity Action Fund to €3 million for 2023. Local Authorities can now apply to […]


SCSI report into building costs of mica homes published


THE SCSI have published their report on construction costs for the defective concrete block grant scheme.  The report will be used by the Government to provide costs to homeowners for the mica redress scheme. The new report was published today, and based on 2022 material and labour rates with pre-2008 building regulations, it has detailed […]