The average social housing vacancy rate decreased last year from 2.81% in 2023 to 2.75%, with 4,251 units vacant at the end of 2024.
The latest Local Authority Performance Indicator Report by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) shows that the lowest vacancy rates were recorded in Laois, Wexford and Westmeath.
According to the independent statutory body, 14 authorities were above the national average of 2.75% including Kilkenny, Carlow and Cork County.
€105,084,976.65 was spent last year in re-letting costs for 3,375 units.
The average cost for re-letting was €31,136.29 and the average time for re-letting was 35.36 weeks - the highest recorded since 2014.
The longest average re-letting time across the six urban authorities was Galway City (48.83 weeks) followed by Fingal (33.76 weeks).
A new indicator introduced in last year's report, the H7 Social Housing Retrofit, tracks progress towards the national target of retrofitting 36,500 local authority properties to a B2 Building Energy Rating (BER) or Cost Optimal equivalent by 2030.
NOAC has expressed concern that this target is unlikely to be met.
Chair Michael McCarthy welcomed the reduction in the average housing vacancy rate from 2.81% to 2.75%.
"While the average re-letting time of 35 weeks remains too long, it is encouraging to see increased investment in housing maintenance and the determination of many local authorities to reduce vacancy rates further.
"Continued focus in this area will be essential to delivering the homes our communities need," he added.
€282,286,380.98 was spent on housing maintenance in 2024, with 26 local authorities increasing their expenditure in this area.
The average cost per unit was €1,824.17 - ranging from the lowest spend in Carlow (€642.68) to the highest spend in Dublin City (€2,894).
Cork County recorded the highest increase in maintenance costs, from €679.91 in 2023 to €1,422.55 in 2024 - a 109% increase, and Leitrim recorded the largest decrease of 15.9% from €1,678.73 in 2023 to €1,411.89 in 2024.
For the second year in a row, Dublin City retrofitted the highest number of homes, completing 408 units in 2024 (up from 259 in 2023).
Donegal followed with 160 units (222 in 2023), while Louth completed 146 units (205 in 2023).
Several local authorities, including Donegal, Cavan, and Galway, reported capacity to undertake additional work but were constrained by funding limitations as no further retrofits could proceed until resources were allocated through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) programme.
Another target where performance is falling short is the annual inspection of 25% of rental properties.
Despite support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, many local authorities are not meeting this requirement.
Six authorities achieved or exceeded the target: Meath (50.24%), Cork City (49.20%), Waterford City and County (48.32%), Offaly (31.66%), South Dublin (26.55%), and Fingal (25.73%).
At the other end of the scale, four authorities recorded inspection rates of less than 10% and, as in 2023, continued to perform poorly - including Galway City (6.81%), Dublin City (7.58%), Wicklow (7.45%), and Carlow (8.70%).
Commercial rates reached 92%, their highest collection level yet.
Housing loans collection rates were also their highest yet at 88%. In the case of rents and annuities, they remain steady at 88% a slight decrease from 91% in 2021.
17 local authorities reported an increase in collections in 2024 while four recorded no change and 10 experienced a decrease.
The lowest collection levels were recorded in Limerick City and County (72%), Dublin City (73%), and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown (75%). In contrast, the highest levels were achieved in Leitrim (99%), Cork County (98%), Westmeath (97%), and Laois (97 %).
The report from NOAC also highlights the emphasis on tourism in the Programme for Government 2025.
While a tourism strategy (J4) is considered a key metric for all local authorities, five had no strategy in place in 2024 and one lacked a designated Tourism Officer.
