Louth County Council best in Ireland for housing delivery

Hardware Association Ireland has announced that Louth is the best-performing local authority area in Ireland for housing delivery during the first six months of 2026.

The newly published Housing Delivery League Table places Louth firmly at the top, with 6.6 homes created per 1,000 residents between January and June.

Louth finished significantly ahead of Laois, which placed second with 5.2 homes per 1,000 residents, followed by Kildare on 4.6 and South Dublin and Fingal, both on 4.5.

The State recorded an overall rate of 3.6 homes per 1,000 residents, meaning Louth’s performance was 83 per cent higher than the national figure. The county was also 27 per cent ahead of its nearest comparator, Laois.

Hardware Association Ireland analysis includes both new-build homes and previously vacant or derelict properties rejuvenated and returned to residential use, providing a broader picture of housing made available across the county.

Commenting on Louth’s performance, Martin Markey, Chief Executive Officer of Hardware Association Ireland, said: “This league table, which we will produce twice per year, provides an important snapshot of housing delivery.

“While many local authorities are making strong progress, there remains a need for greater consistency and ambition in meeting housing demand.

“For local authorities that are challenged in providing new housing, there is ample scope to provide homes by rejuvenating empty homes and above the shop properties.

“We hope this analysis will support constructive dialogue and drive improvements where they are most needed.”

Nationally, nine local authority areas recorded a housing delivery rate above the State figure. Three areas matched the State rate, while 19 fell below it.

Hardware Association Ireland said the league table is intended to recognise successful delivery, improve transparency and encourage local authority areas to learn from those recording the strongest results.