‘Right-sizing’ scheme considered for older residents in Donegal

Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh has called upon the council to introduce a new housing policy.

Cllr Kavanagh, Fine Gael, put forward the motion asking the council to introduce a housing right-sizing policy for Letterkenny at the Letterkenny-Milford MD.

The Letterkenny councillor believes that the policy would allow older adults to move from large, underoccupied homes into smaller and age-friendly homes to better suit their needs.

“The issue of moving from a larger home to a smaller, more manageable home comes often from the elderly people,” the Fine Gael councillor said. “Especially from elderly people who are living on their own with no family and are trying to heat larger houses, which isn’t very economical or practical.”

County Limerick currently has a similar voluntary scheme operating, where homeowners under the age of 55 can sell their property on an open market, keep 75% of the proceeds and give the remaining 25% to the council.

This would then give the applicant a lifelong tenancy in a smaller and more age-appropriate accommodation.

Cllr Kavanagh suggested that the scheme could also be of benefit in addressing the housing shortage, especially larger homes for families.

He also stated that he has “been approached by several people” who have expressed interest in the scheme.

The motion follows the recently released housing figures in the Letterkenny MD that state as of October 27 2026, there are currently 1,173 approved applicants awaiting social housing.

Cllr Donal Coyle, Fianna Fáil, seconded the motion, saying he believes there would be a “very good response” to the scheme.

The Donegal County Council responded by stating that a country-wide rightsizing policy is already being developed under the Housing for All strategy, and pilot schemes are operating in Cork, Limerick, and Dublin.