Council set target of building 30,000 houses in ten years

Meath is expected to see the construction of 30,000 new houses over the next ten years following the publication of new guidelines from the Department of Housing.

Meath County Council has been given a target of providing 2,942 new houses annually from 2025 to 2034, and 1,362 new houses annually from 2035 to 2040.

The Department of Housing has published a National Planning Framework implementation setting out new housing growth requirement guidelines for planning authorities.

The Council has commenced work immediately on an implementation plan. Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe said: “We are well aware of the urgency of the national housing crisis and will immediately start the process of varying our county and area plans so that we are in an excellent place to deliver over 36,000 new houses by 2040.

“Earlier this month, statistics supplied by the Department showed we delivered 169 per cent of our social housing new-build delivery targets from 2022 to 2024 and this was achieved through careful planning, investment in key infrastructure and a steadfast commitment to our citizens.

“The targets may change, but our focus has not, and we will continue to address the housing challenges of the people in Meath.”

The council will be assessing key locations, variation timelines, and infrastructure options in the coming weeks, as well as engaging with Elected Members, to deliver housing for the people of County Meath.

Meath County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Wayne Harding welcomed the targets. “We have a housing crisis, so many people are struggling to get housing. As councillors we have all have people who have been on the housing list for too long and we have so many struggling to buy their own homes.”

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said that the targets were already being met. “The members and the executive will be working to ensure we continue to meet those targets. “My one concern is that the figures for 2035 to 2040 are too low. They should be higher. I am looking forward to the implementation of the plan. It will make Meath a more vibrant place. We have a huge need for housing.

“I would hope to see more housing throughout the county and not just in the Navan area,” he said.

In May 2025, there were 2,945 homes under construction in Meath, while the county also saw the highest number of commencements in the Eastern and Midlands Region in Q1 2025. Census 2022 figures showed that Meath had the second highest level of growth in the country at 13.2per cent and this progress has been reflected in the Council's strategy for Housing.