Concerns raised amid claims Louth County Council are outbidding first-time buyers

Concerns have been raised that local authorities are outbidding first-time buyers for properties in Louth. 

Independent councillor Maeve Yore told the January meeting of Dundalk Municipal District that this policy is exacerbating the housing crisis. 

She said this issue has been raised with her by first-time buyers, and said good community relations will not be maintained as a result. 

Cllr Yore said one "long established estate" now has four council properties on one street, and said that is "not acceptable". 

"The national government have failed and it's turning people against people with their tactics in relation to buying up houses and people being out bid,” she said.  

Christine Mullen, Administrative Officer with Louth County Council, said she did not have the information in relation to first-time buyers being outbid by the council, and four council homes on one street, but said the council does have an acquisition budget in place for 2026. 

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Elsewhere, Sinn Féin councillor Antóin Watters said people are anxious due to waiting times for housing list applications. 

Cllr Watters asked whether there had been an increase in applications and sought an update on current waiting times.

Ms Mullen said there is a backlog at the moment as a result of the social housing needs assessment that came into effect in November, but said the council hopes to have applications assessed and approved within 12 weeks. 

She said applicants should have all the relevant documentation to help speed the process up. 

Fellow Sinn Féin councillor Fiona Mhic Conchoille asked the council about the possibility of making adaptations to houses as opposed to forcing families to move onto a transfer list.

She asked if the council could "look at converting an attic for a family or perhaps a small extension, rather than going on a transfer list to wait for a few years". 

Ms Mullen said housing adaptations are only done for disability, as it wouldn't be cost effective to do an extension. 

She said families should instead apply for a transfer, saying the council will have more three or four-bed properties in 2026 to alleviate cases of overcrowding. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.