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Kildare houses 2.4 per cent more expensive than Q3 2025

By Ciarán Mather, Leinster Leader

House prices in Kildare are 2.4 per cent more expensive in this quarter (Q3) than those recorded back in Q3 of 2025.

The latest report from Daft.ie shows that the overall level of housing stock for sale has increased, while the rate of growth in asking prices for homes almost halved in the last 12 months.

Specifically, the website's report indicates that list-price inflation for houses so far this year was 3 per cent, compared to 5.8pc this time last year.

Daft.ie also notes that the average asking price for a residential property nationally between July and September was €445,000.

And in the context of Kildare, listed prices in Q3 of 2026 were on average 2.4pc higher compared to the same time period one year ago.

The increases have been criticised by Kildare-based Sinn Féin councillor Noel Connolly, who told the Leinster Leader: “To afford the average three-bedroom semi in Kildare, a first-time buyer couple would need almost €95,000 in combined annual income and a deposit of over €42,000; that highlights just how far home ownership remains beyond the reach of many workers and young families.”

He continued: “The fact that prices continue to rise is a reflection of the government's failure to tackle the housing crisis and deliver enough genuinely affordable homes.

“Sinn Féin believes the priority must be increasing the supply of affordable and social housing, supporting first-time buyers, and ensuring that ordinary workers are not priced out of the communities they grew up in.”

Cllr Connolly concluded: “Kildare families need action on housing costs, not more excuses.”

Echoing his statements was his Kildare Town-based party colleague, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh TD, who said: “The new figures spells even more bad news for young families in Kildare struggling to get on the housing ladder.

“This [is] further evidence that the government’s strategy is blatantly failing to get to grips with housing supply and affordability.

She also said: “There is a direct link between the housing crisis and young people leaving Ireland in their droves for a better future.”

In contrast, Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin , had this to say: “House prices in Kildare have edged 2.4pc higher over the past year, reflecting steady demand in the commuter belt.

“While the increase is modest compared to sharper rises elsewhere, it underscores ongoing affordability pressures for buyers.

“Availability of housing is important also -stats show that Kildare built 2,174 houses in 2025 and commenced 607 units so we score quite well on supply.”

‘A SIGNIFICANT INTERVENTION’

The Newbridge-based politician continued: “The increase in costs underscore Fianna Fail’s suggestion that stamp duty be eradicated for first time buyers would be a significant intervention, along with the help to buy scheme, and other schemes to help people buy their own homes.

“Equally, the new planning guidelines proposed by Fianna Fáil Minister James Browne enabling more rural one off housing should help alleviate costs for those who have access to sites.

Senator O’Loughlin concluded: “Supporting people to own their own homes is a cornerstone of my party's agenda, but along with building houses we must build sustainable communities with access to adequate services and infrastructure.”

Furthermore, Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender said: “Even if the rate of price growth is slowing, many young families are still being priced out of home ownership.

“The government can point to increased housing delivery, but after years of supply failing to keep pace with demand, families are still facing prices of more than €400,000 for an ordinary three-bedroom home.”

Cllr Pender added: “Slower price growth is welcome, but affordability has to be the measure of whether housing policy is actually working for families.”

When asked by the Leader for comment on the latest report, a spokesperson for the Department of Housing responded: “As the report clearly shows, increasing the supply of new homes alleviates pressures in the housing market, helping to moderate price growth and ease affordability challenges.

“There has been a significant increase in supply and a robust pipeline is building, and a recent [separate] report showed that Ireland has the fastest rate of homebuilding in Europe. And in Kildare, housing commencements so far this year are up 92pc on the same time last year.”

They concluded: “Minister [James] Browne and the government continue to work to build on this momentum, committing record funding for the delivery of housing and taking action to activate land, reform the planning system, provide infrastructure and improve securing construction viability.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.