New data lays bare Leitrim’s persistent unused dwellings problem

8.5% of dwellings in Leitrim were vacant in 2023, the highest rate in the country, according to new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The figures were compiled using a novel method by recording houses that are connected to the energy grid but consume extremely low amounts of electricity, indicating that they are lying unused.

According to the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report from this year, Leitrim continues to record the highest proportion of vacant homes in Ireland, despite an overall decline in derelict properties nationwide.

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Residential vacancy rates remain concentrated along the north and west coasts, with Leitrim standing out at 11.9%, remaining the county with the most significant vacancy issue in the country.

They show that at that time across Ireland, 72,254 dwellings consumed very low levels of electricity during the 12 months to the end of Quarter 4 (Q4) 2023. This equated to an estimated national vacancy rate of 3.3%, a slight decrease on 2022. 

Nationally, the average vacancy rate in Q2 2025 was 3.7%, with 80,328 residential properties recorded as vacant in June 2025.

The local authorities with the highest vacancy rates in Q4 2023 were Leitrim (8.5%), Roscommon (6.5%), and Mayo (6.4%).

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In contrast, much lower vacancy rates were recorded in South Dublin (1%), Fingal (1.4%), and Kildare (1.4%).

Glenties in Donegal was the Local Electoral Area (LEA) with the highest number of vacant dwellings in Q4 2023 (1,636), while Leixlip in Kildare had the lowest number (81).

“2kWh consumption is enough to power a medium-sized fridge for a day. This methodology provides insight into where vacant dwellings are and how vacancy rates have changed over time,” said Steven Conroy, Statistician in the Housing Division of the CSO.