The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has published its monthly data on the number of Commencement Notices (residential construction starts) for October 2024.
There were 4,249 homes commenced in October 2024. For the first ten months of 2024 (January – October), 53,256 were homes commenced.
In the last 12 months (November 2023 to October 2024) there have been 59,510 homes commenced.
Of all homes commenced in the first ten months of 2024 (Jan-Oct), 37% were in the four Dublin local authorities. By local authority, the most homes commenced this year so far have been in Dublin City (6,655) followed by Fingal (5,368) and South Dublin (4,469). The lowest number of homes commenced have been in Leitrim (91), Carlow (197) and Longford (243). 
Full data on the number of homes commenced, notices and one-off dwellings on a national level and by local authority from 2014 to October 2024 can be downloaded below.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7d0e5-october-2024-commencements/

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD jointly announced the publication of Regulations giving effect to the recommendations in the recently published ‘Report on the Review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability’.
 
The Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People) Regulations 2024 provide the legal basis for the introduction of the recommendations set out in the recently completed review. The key changes include an increase in the grant limits of over 30%, an increase of 25% in the income thresholds for eligibility. The legislation also adjusts the burden sharing for local authorities by reducing the local authority funding contribution to 15% (from the existing 20%) together with a number of amendments to the means test. Key changes in the Regulations include: 
 

• An increase in the maximum level of Housing Adaption Grant for Disabled People to €40,000 (an increase of €10,000;
• An increase in the maximum level of the Housing Aid for Older People Grant to €10,700 (an increase of €2,700); and
• An increase in the maximum level of the Mobility Aid Grant of €8,000 (an increase of €2,000).  _ 

 
The new scheme will commence from 1 December 2024 and all applications submitted on or after that date will be considered under the revised scheme. New application forms will be available from local authorities from 1 December.  
 
Commenting today Minister O’Brien said:
 
“I am delighted to bring forwarded these changes which will make real and significant impact on the lives of older and disabled people and will ensure that the grants are fit for purpose. I’ve also announced an increase of €25 million on last years’ budget to support these changes. These grants are a lifeline for many families and individuals – meaning they can live independently, in the comfort of their own communities, for as long as possible – something which we know many people, and their loved ones, want.”
 
Minister Dillon emphasised:
 
“The changes announced today will improve the lives of many of the most vulnerable people in our society to live more independent lives. As the Minister of State with responsibility for housing for older people and disabled people, I am fully committed to supporting individuals to remain at home and within their own communities through these revised grants. The Regulations published today and the additional funding announced last month will support local authorities to facilitate this goal for many of our citizens.”
 
Over 13,000 grants were paid in 2023. So far this year over 11,000 grants have been paid. Since the launch of the scheme in November 2007, significantly increased levels of activity continue to be experienced by local authorities with over 160,000 grants being paid to older people and disabled people. This has facilitated those applicants to remain in their own homes and communities, and in the case of many older people preventing premature entry to residential care.

New target of an average of 50,500 homes per year – scaling up to 60,000 homes in 2030 and that level maintained thereafter
Revision of National Planning Framework now proceeding to finalisation of environmental assessments ahead of final approval stages 
Today, the Government has approved revised housing targets for the period 2025 to 2030, aiming to deliver a total of 303,000 new homes across Ireland. This ambitious plan sets an average of over 50,000 homes per year, with a pathway to achieve 60,000 homes annually in 2030 and thereafter. This milestone decision represents a critical step towards meeting Ireland's growing housing needs, driven by projected population increases, latent and ongoing demand for housing.
The new targets were announced as the Government today agreed to progress (and publish in the coming days) a draft schedule of amendments to the First Revision to the National Planning Framework (NPF) arising from the public consultation process undertaken between July and September 2024. This follows an update to the Cabinet provided by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD on the revision, arising from the public consultation undertaken on the draft document. 
The Government decision on the NPF today provides clarity on significant policy matters, notably the need to plan for, and provide revised housing targets to meet additional population and employment growth over and above the original 2018 NPF projections.
The revised housing targets reflect the latest research and modelling by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), which forecasts substantial population growth over the next decade. The approved targets aim to ensure that housing supply meets both new demand and addresses existing need, creating a sustainable future for housing in Ireland.
To reach the total of 303,000 homes by 2030, an annual increase in housing delivery, starting from 41,000 homes in 2025 and rising incrementally to 60,000 homes by the end of the period has been agreed by Government. 
Speaking today, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD emphasised: 
“The Revision of the National Planning Framework has been informed by detailed ESRI modelling of our population growth and housing needs both now and into the future. The NPF provides a framework by which we as a country can grow and sustain ourselves. I was delighted to get Cabinet agreement today to progress it to the next step. 
I was also very pleased to get Cabinet agreement for our new housing targets which will see us deliver an annual average of 50,500 homes per year building up to 60,000 in 2030. We’ve always said that we would review the housing targets in light of Census 2022 and that the approach we would take would be evidence based. 
The targets we set will only ever be the floor, not the ceiling, and as has been proven over the two full years of the Housing for All plan, where we can surpass our targets, we will. 
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD added:
“I would like to thank everyone who engaged with the public consultation for the review of the NPF and for their input to the ongoing evolution of our revised planning framework. Today’s decision from Cabinet to agree to progress our most-up-to-date iteration of the NPF cements the progress made on the revision, and in doing so, sets a clear direction of travel, noting that the final version of the Revised NPF will require the approval of Government and the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas . 
 “With regards to housing targets, today’s decision signifies a bold and necessary step towards addressing Ireland’s housing needs. Our aim is to ensure that we deliver on the scale required to meet current and growing demand, provide sustainable housing options, and secure a better quality of life for future generations. By basing our targets on sound evidence, we ensure that our actions today align with the needs of tomorrow. These targets show our commitment to building a resilient, future-focused housing system."
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with responsibility for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan TD also said:
“I welcome today’s ambitious targets for housebuilding and I believe we are in a very good position to build on the impressive work we have achieved to date regarding the delivery of new homes. At a time when housing and climate action are the most significant challenges facing our society, the NPF revision provides an opportunity for us to reset our approach as we shape the future development of the Country – ensuring that we achieve a balanced, sustainable and environmentally sensitive framework for the Ireland of tomorrow.”
In order to finalise the Revision of the National Planning Framework, Government will in due course be required to approve a final Revised NPF following the conclusion of the environmental assessments, which will include a Strategic Environmental Assessment; Natura Impact Statement and Appropriate Assessment Determination, and a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.
Following the approval of Government, the final draft will then be submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas for ultimate approval. Once finalised, the revised National Planning Framework will be incorporated into the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and the City and County Development Plans, including through updated Housing Supply Targets.

 
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD have today launched a public consultation to take into account public views on the Draft Additional Measures for the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) and the Natura Impact Statement (NIS). 
 
Ireland’s NAP gives effect to the requirements of the Nitrates Directive in Ireland and is a critical piece of legislation to protect water quality from agriculture. The current Fifth NAP runs from 2022-2025 and the changes proposed are an important element of the interim review of the programme, which commenced in 2023. These additional actions are aimed at delivering improvements in water quality and follow extensive review and stakeholder engagement with the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group resulting in recommendations to both Ministers on the actions proposed. 
 
The Additional Measures and the Natura Impact Statement reports are published on both Departments’ websites to accompany a 30 day consultation process. 
 
Minister O’Brien today emphasised:
 
“It is clear that some additional measures are needed to improve and protect water quality. However, we need to ensure that the additional measures are the right ones to deliver these necessary improvements. The public consultation process is an important step in ensuring those most affected are listened to and that the most appropriate measures are proposed. Therefore we invite and welcome all submissions”.
 
Minister McConalogue added:
 
“All farmers and agri sector stakeholders have a role to play in delivering on Ireland’s water quality goals. It is such collaboration, as is being channelled through the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group (WQG) I established in May 2023, that will see the dial turn for our water quality.  These additional measures, in combination with the existing measures already being undertaken and embraced by farmers, are part of a whole of industry effort to deliver the required water quality improvements to secure a Nitrates Derogation into the future.”
 
A separate four-week public consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Fifth NAP additional measures is scheduled to start in mid-November. 
 
In addition to ensuring implementation of all additional measures, both Departments will be working closely on developing and finalising the Sixth NAP to be in place by the 1 January 2026. The Sixth NAP must be in place before a vote on Ireland’s derogation renewal by Member States can occur. 

Multi-Agency Working Group, including Cavan and Monaghan County Councils, Cuan, the DSGBV Agency, Safe Ireland, Department of Housing and Housing Agency, established to identify and assess potential sites.
 
 
1 November 2024
 
Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD have today (Friday) welcomed the commencement of a site selection process for the building of a domestic violence refuge in the Cavan/Monaghan region, one of the regions identified as a ‘Phase 1’ priority for refuge development under the Zero Tolerance strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. 
 
In addition to identifying suitable locations for refuge development, the process will focus on identifying potential locations for safe home development. 
 
Speaking today, Minister McEntee said:
 
“Cavan and Monaghan was identified as a priority location and Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency, which I established earlier this year, was tasked with taking forward work to develop a new refuge facility in that region.
 
“I welcome that the site selection process has now commenced. This is a key step in the delivery of a new domestic violence refuge in the Cavan / Monaghan region. My Plan is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge will have access to one. 
 
Speaking today, Minister O’Brian said:
 
“The establishment of a multi-agency working group in Cavan Monaghan is a welcome step towards providing a much-needed Domestic Violence Refuge with ancillary facilities in the region. At present victims and their families in Cavan and Monaghan have to travel unacceptable distances from family, friends, and community supports in order to access refuge spaces. That’s not a situation I or this Government want to see continued.  
 
“My department will provide the capital funding for construction once a site has been identified and the refuge has been designed. There are a number of steps that need to happen prior to this point, and this working group will assist with these necessary processes, expedite them where possible and ensure project momentum is maintained. I want to be very clear in saying both I and my Department are absolutely committed to providing this refuge. 
 
“I’d like to recognise the strong support of both Cavan and Monaghan County Councils, as well as our colleagues in Cuan, The Domestic, Sexual, and Gender Based Violence Agency, and The Housing Agency. We have observed a noticeable improvement in lead in time for domestic violence refuge projects where this multiagency collaboration is occurring and hope to see the Cavan Monaghan refuge in development very soon,” he concluded.”