The number of unfinished developments has dropped from 1263 to 992 this year, according to the Government.
Of the remaining estates, 766 are inhabited and Junior Minister for Housing Paudie Coffey said they would concentrate on these ones.
He said 226 are total ghost estates with no one living there.
He said a decision on these would have to be taken in due course but demolition was a last resort.
One estate in Ballaghadereen in Roscommon was demolished this year.
Mr Coffey said the process was becoming more difficult as the remaining estates had more technical, legal and planning issues.
