Some 3,000 Westmeath and Roscommon homes 'may be long-term vacant'

Around 3,000 homes in counties Westmeath and Roscommon were unoccupied when both of the last two Censuses were taken, in 2016 and 2022, indicating that they may be "long-term vacant" properties.

The results on housing from the Census in April of last year were released on Thursday last and showed that the number of vacant homes in the two counties had decreased since the previous Census in April 2016.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) said some homes classed as vacant in the Census may only be vacant for a short period.

However, it noted that 1,006 homes in Westmeath, and 1,950 dwellings in Roscommon were vacant both in April 2016 and in April 2022, which "could be an indication of a longer-term vacancy status".

Overall, the number of homes in Westmeath increased by 4%, from 36,890 to 38,189, during the six-year period leading up to last year's Census.

In Roscommon, the total housing stock grew by 3%, from 31,285 to 32,129, in the same period.

The growth in the total number of homes, and decrease in vacancy levels, is an indicator of the increasing pressure on housing in Ireland. However, nationally, the total housing stock grew at a slightly faster rate - by more than 5%.

The number of holiday homes in Westmeath rose by 19%, from 281 to 333, and in Roscommon the number of holiday homes increased by 8%, from 1,225 to 1,327.

Of the 38,189 homes in Westmeath at the time of the Census, some 60% (22,988) were owner-occupied. This was up from 21,915 in April 2016.

In Roscommon, there were 19,245 owner-occupied homes, which was also 60% of the total number in the county and was up from 18,234 six years earlier.

Homes in Westmeath which were rented from private landlords showed a 3% increase, from 5,928 to 6,122, while in Roscommon there was a more significant 11% increase in rental properties over the six years, from 3,210 to 3,563.

In Westmeath, the number of homes being rented by people in the 65 and over age group was 396, which was a 71% increase from 2016, while in Roscommon 289 homes were being rented by people 65 or older, a 76% increase.

The rise in the amount of rent being paid by tenants was substantial in both counties.

The average weekly rent paid to a private landlord in Westmeath in April 2022 was €197, which represented a 47% increase on 2016.

In Roscommon, the average weekly rent paid to a private landlord in Roscommon in April 2022 was €155, up by 41% on 2016

In both counties, this was a faster rate of increase than the 37% average rise in rents paid nationally.

The areas with the highest weekly rent were all in Dublin, with rents in Dún Laoighaire Rathdown averaging at over €440 per week.