400 vacant homes in Offaly’s 'ghost estates'

A new Government study has shown that just over 400 homes in so-called ghost estates in Offaly are either unfinished or lying vacant. The survey, carried out by the Department of the Environment earlier this year and published last week, was the first attempt to quantify the unfinished estates which are among the most prominent symbols of post-Celtic Tiger Ireland. The study included all incomplete housing developments of two or more dwellings that had commenced before this summer. A total of 30 estates in Offaly were examined. The estates were due to contain 2,223 homes, of which 734 (or 33%) have been completed and were occupied at the time of the survey. The estates included 220 homes which were completed but were lying vacant, along with 182 unfinished dwellings. Planning permission was granted, but no construction work had started, on 1,087 homes in the Offaly estates. This figure represents 49% of all the homes which were planned for these estates in the county. Nationally, 2,846 estates were included in the study. They were to contain 179,273 homes but only 78,195 (44%) were completed and occupied. An additional 23,250 (13%) were completed but vacant. In addition, work had stopped on 15,139 (8%) of homes, while work was ongoing on 4,691 (3%) of the dwellings. Permission was granted, but no work had started, on 58,025 (32%) of the apartments and houses in Ireland’s 'ghost estates.’ Launching the survey last week, Minister for Housing Michael Finneran and Minister for Planning Ciarán Cuffe outlined plans to establish an 'expert group’ to help determine the future of the estates. This group is to consist of representatives from local government and NAMA, as well as representatives of the banking, construction, architectural, planning and engineering sectors. It is due to hold its first meeting inside the next fortnight and is expected to report to the Government next January. Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly, Charlie Flanagan, stated that an action plan for 'ghost estates’ should be prepared as a matter of urgency. “I am calling on the county councils to prioritise an action plan for ghost estates which pose a threat to health and safety in the community and will simply become a haven for vandals if a decision is not made quickly about how to resolve the issue,” said Deputy Flanagan. “There are 70 official ghost estates in Laois and 30 such estates in Offaly. The figures for Laois/Offaly contained in the final report are far more serious that what was contained in the original pilot study. “While it will not be easy to resolve the difficulties ghost estates present, the problem is not insurmountable if national support is given to the local authorities. “I have written to the chairperson of NAMA asking for clarification on which ghost estates in Laois-Offaly have been taken over by NAMA and what the agency now plans to do with these estates. “In my view, coordination between NAMA, the Department of the Environment, the county council and developers will be essential if the issue is to be resolved,” he concluded. Thirty Offaly housing estates were surveyed, consisting of 2,223 houses and apartments with 220 homes completed and vacant and 181 unfinished.