'I'm not surprised'- Leitrim has highest rate of derelict properties in country

Leitrim was found to have the highest level of vacant residential properties at the end of 2024, data from the Central Statistics Office shows. 

Leitrim’s rate of vacancy was highest nationally at 7.8%, with 1,575 residential properties in the local authority area marked as vacant; a drop from 1,699 vacant homes at the end of 2023 in the area.

The CSO measures residential vacancy based on the level of metered electricity consumption.

Across the twelve months of 2024, there were 70,149 dwellings in Ireland that consumed very low levels of electricity. This gave an estimated national vacancy rate of 3.2%.

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There was a drop in vacancy rates from the end of 2023 to the end of 2024: 2,105 dwellings deemed vacant in 2023 became occupied. Using ESB designations, the rural vacancy rate was 5.4% and the urban rate was 2.2% at the end of 2024.

Speaking to the Leitrim Observer, Cllr Enda McGloin said that he wasn't surprised by the figures and that council members are putting pressure on Leitrim County Council executive to "beef up" their approach to dereliction. "Given Leitrim's population and the amount of older houses around; we can all see it with our own eyes in various towns and villages that there is a high level of dereliction."

He said that the issue has been discussed at council level on numerous occasions. "The Derelict Sites register is being reviewed by Leitrim County Council with the proposal to add additional buildings to that register. The Derelict Sites levy will now be collected by Revenue so I'm hoping this initiative will have an impact."

He added: "There is now an enhanced grant option for people who own commercial derelict buildings in the towns under the new 'above the shop' grant which is up to €140,000. That's along with the €70,000 that's currently available under the Croí Cónaithe (Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant). That coupled with the SEAI grant gives plenty of scope."

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He said that those who own derelict buildings and chose not to redevelop them "should face the rigours of the law and should try and sell the property to someone who will make use of it and either turn it into a home or do it up and put it up for rent for someone who needs accommodation."

He continued that sometimes, the owners of derelict properties cannot be contacted for a myriad of reasons. "There might be issues around the direct ownership of a building due to there being no proper will or it was left to someone who lives in the US etc. and the building is lying there and no one knows who owns it. Eventually the total levy becomes more than the value of the building and then the local authority should be able to take the building in charge."

He said that councillors are set to receive a report from the council on the matter in May. "I'm appealing to owners of these buildings that can't do anything with them, to put them up on the market and I hope that the council, when the full details of the above the shop grant is available, will hold a workshop for people. I encourage young people especially, for their first home, to look at the option of buying one of those buildings and doing it up and living in the town."

He said with the various grants available for derelict buildings "there is great opportunity to buy a less expensive building than it would be to build one on a greenfield site. It would be wonderful to see people back living in our towns and villages."