Kerry County Council sells most social housing in Ireland, statistics reveal

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

Kerry County Council sold the highest number of social houses of any council last year while also adding the lowest percentage of new units to its housing stock, recent figures show.

Data released by the National Oversight and Audit Committee (NOAC) show that in 2024, the council sold 43 dwellings, the highest of any local authority.

A total of 33 units, 0.73 per cent of the council’s total housing stock, was added, ranking the local authority as the lowest percentage of new units in Ireland.

Councillor Norma Moriarty said the figures reflected the large delivery of social housing prior to 2024 and a reduction in provision was expected.

“If you take a year-on-year basis it can look like nothing has happened but you had several hundred units delivered in Tralee, 10 in Sneem…our biggest issue around the delivery of housing is with wastewater infrastructure issues and now with drinking water,” said Cllr Moriarty.

“Where there has been least activity is in the private market, the group that falls between the two stools if you like, who can’t afford to buy, or even secure a mortgage, and are above the threshold for social housing.”

“That affordable housing area is where we have not done enough and need to do a lot more…if you’re going buying off plans from a developer, the average price around the mid Kerry/Beaufort area, is around €550,000. That puts you above the threshold for the Help-to-Buy scheme.”