Meath assigned housing targets under National Planning Framework
Meath has been given an annual target of providing almost 3000 news houses over the next decade.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage published a National Planning Framework implementation setting out new housing growth requirement guidelines for planning authorities.
Under the new guidelines, Meath County Council is expected to deliver 2,942 new homes annually from 2025 to 2034, followed by 1,362 homes per year from 2035 to 2040 — bringing the total housing requirement to over 36,000 units by 2040.
The local authority said they have commenced work immediately on an implementation plan.
The council will now assess key development areas, review variation timelines for local plans, and consider infrastructure needs to support this level of growth. Engagement with Elected Members is also underway to ensure alignment and accountability throughout the process.
As of May 2025, there were 2,945 homes under construction in the county. Meath also recorded the highest number of residential commencements in the Eastern and Midlands Region during Q1 2025, highlighting its growing contribution to national housing delivery.
Census 2022 figures further underscore Meath’s rapid expansion, with the county showing the second-highest population growth in the country at 13.2pc. This demographic surge has shaped Meath County Council’s housing strategy in recent years.
Meath County Council Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe said: "We are well aware of the urgency of the national housing crisis and will immediately start the process of varying our county and area plans so that we are in an excellent place to deliver over 36,000 new houses by 2040.”
"Earlier this month, statistics supplied by the Department showed we delivered 169pc of our social housing new-build delivery targets from 2022 to 2024 and this was achieved through careful planning, investment in key infrastructure and a steadfast commitment to our citizens.
"The targets may change, but our focus has not, and we will continue to address the housing challenges of the people in Meath."