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300,000 houses lying empty in Ireland, including 200 'ghost estates'

Empty houses equal to half entire housing stock in Dublin

By
DONAL THORNTON,
IrishCentral.com

Published Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 2:23 PM
Updated Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 2:30 PM

 

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Ghost estate: A row of half-built homes in Battery Court estate in Longford
Ghost estate: A row of half-built homes in Battery Court estate in Longford
Photo by Photocall Ireland

A new report out in Ireland Tuesday claims that about 300,000 homes are lying empty round the country, more than double the government's official estimate, including about 200 "ghost estates."

Academics from Maynooth University say there are 300,000 empty houses while Irish Housing Minister Michael Finneran said last week there were about 140,000. The construction industry laughably suggests the real figure is closer to 40,000. Well, they would say that wouldn't they.

Or, as the Irish Times puts it, the amount of empty houses is about equal to half the housing stock in all of Dublin.

The academics are based at the National Institute of Regional and Spatial Analysis (Nirsa) and also act as advisers to the Government.

Nirsa Director, Professor Rob Kitchin, said the team used data from the Environment Department, utility supply points and the national address directory.

Their report says that there are 302,625 empty houses in Ireland which includes houses for sale or for rent and abandoned houses. It does not include an estimated 49,000 holiday homes.

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5 Comments

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Posted by bbrosseau on Feb 21, 2010, 11:58 AM EST
yes, how do we invest in their real estate?
Report abuse
Posted by raineyireland on Jan 25, 2010, 01:27 AM EST
How can I buy a cheap house over there then? Thanks
Report abuse
Posted by jimmy12003 on Jan 20, 2010, 05:34 PM EST
wait ontil round about june, if you are in the market for a new house in ireland, you will get them for little or nothing then!
Report abuse
Posted by lindsey67 on Jan 20, 2010, 03:23 PM EST
How difficult is it to move to Ireland to buy one of these homes? I have always dreamed of living in Ireland but don't know much about the jobs there. any recommendations on where to start?
Report abuse
Posted by irelandlvr on Jan 20, 2010, 02:05 PM EST
I say how do I move to Ireland and buy a house. I dream of one day living there!
 


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