Government Fails to Hit 2025 Social Housing Build Target Amid Growing Crisis
Ireland’s government has managed to deliver only 30% of its new‑build social housing target by the end of the third quarter of 2025, official figures show, sparking renewed criticism from opposition politicians and housing advocates.
Ireland Live
According to data published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the period January–September 2025, just 3,143 new‑build social homes have been completed so far — significantly short of the 10,000‑home target set for the year.
Ireland Live
Delivery Breakdown: Limited Progress on Core Target
In the three months from July to September, a total of 1,605 new social homes were delivered, including 1,330 new builds, 120 acquisitions, and 155 through leasing programmes.
Ireland Live
While the numbers represent an increase compared with the same period in 2024 — where fewer than 1,000 new builds were completed — the overall pace of delivery remains well below what is needed to meet year‑end goals.
gov.ie
Government Response: “Encouraging” But Insufficient
Housing Minister James Browne TD described the latest figures as “very encouraging,” highlighting a 48% increase in new‑build activity compared to the first nine months of 2024. He stressed that a “robust pipeline” of projects is in place and pointed to nearly €20 billion in housing funding under the State’s new Delivering Homes, Building Communities plan — intended to deliver an average of 12,000 new social homes annually up to 2030.
gov.ie
Browne also emphasised that affordable housing delivery — including cost rental, starter homes, and other supports — is closer to its annual goals, with affordable housing delivery at approximately 93% of its target by the end of Q3.
gov.ie
Opposition Voices: “Missed Targets and Misleading Numbers”
Opposition politicians have strongly challenged the government’s portrayal of progress. Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD argued that the government is on course to miss both social and affordable housing targets in 2025, accusing Minister Browne of being “asleep at the wheel” for failing to build enough new homes.
sinnfein.ie
Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne echoed these concerns, saying that the figures obscure the reality that a substantial proportion of what is defined as “affordable housing” comes from market subsidy schemes rather than direct construction of genuinely affordable homes. He also criticised the inclusion of vacant property refurbishment supports as part of housing delivery figures despite affordability conditions being absent in many such cases.
TheJournal.ie
Housing Crisis Context: Beyond Targets
Ireland is currently experiencing a deepening housing and homelessness crisis, with tens of thousands of people living without secure homes. Data published this week shows more than 16,000 people, including over 5,000 children, living in emergency accommodation as Christmas approaches, highlighting the real‑world consequences of a shortage of social homes and long waiting lists.
The Sun
Housing advocates and campaigners argue that Ireland needs a dramatic increase in the pace of construction, greater focus on direct State‑led building and modular construction methods, and a more transparent approach to delivery data if the housing crisis is to be meaningfully addressed.
Outlook: Year‑End Hopes and Ongoing Challenges
While the government insists that the final quarter of the year traditionally delivers a higher volume of completions, analysts remain cautious. Meeting the ambitious target of 10,000 new‑build social homes in 2025 will require a significant acceleration in output in just the final months of the year.
With rising demand, ongoing homelessness, and affordability pressures continuing to build, the social housing shortfall has become one of the most politically sensitive and socially urgent issues facing Ireland heading into 2026.
Aaron Joyce, Newswire, L.T.T Media; Newsdesk; 23 December 2025
