Residential Vacancy Rates in Donegal now higher than national average

The residential vacancy rate was 9% in Donegal Q4 2024 according to the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report. This was higher than the national average of 3.8%.

The highest vacancy rates in the country can be found in the west of Ireland with Leitrim (11.8%), Mayo (10.6%) and Roscommon (10.3%).

At the other end of the scale, the lowest vacancy rates were found in Dublin (1.2%), Kildare (1.5%), Waterford (2.1%) and Carlow (2.5%).

Nationally, 34,686 new address points were recorded last year with 701 new residential address points added to the GeoDirectory database in Donegal throughout 2024, while there were 722 buildings under construction in the county in December 2024.

20,092 residential address points across the State were classified as derelict in Q4 2024, with 11.6% of these properties located in Donegal.

The highest concentration of derelict properties was recorded in Mayo (14.0%).

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The average residential property price in Donegal was €208,505 in the twelve months between November 2023 and November 2024. Prices increased in all 26 counties in the State.

The highest property price was in Dublin, with an average of €565,351. Wicklow (€488,829) and Kildare (€412,839) were the only other counties in which the average property price exceeded the national average.

The lowest average prices were recorded in Leitrim (€190,000), Longford (€196,532) and Roscommon (€205,333).

Speaking about the findings of the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report, Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory said,

“There was a substantial increase in the number of residential address points added to the GeoDirectory database throughout 2024.

“The number of buildings under construction has remained relatively stable, indicating that the strong pipeline of new homes will continue into 2025.”

Annette Hughes, Director at EY Economic Advisory said, 

“The latest GeoDirectory report spotlights a continuing and encouraging downward trend in both national vacancy and dereliction rates, as our growing population and policy initiatives are having an impact.

“More broadly while the number of new address points increased significantly last year, it will be critically important going forward to ensure the right policies, housing supports and infrastructure are in place to accelerate the delivery of housing supply for all tenures in the right locations.”