The information is this is taken from a number of sources.
Its purpose is to summarise planning permissions granted for private accommodation (houses, apartments) and relate this to current housing stock and population of the counties.
The numbers are for planning permissions and not for actual construction that took place subsequently. However, the number of permissions granted is a reasonable measure of distortion, skewness and even corruption, casual or conspiratorial, that took place in the planning process. Permissions, after all, should only be granted after proper assessment of the needs of the proposed developments, impact on the area, and so on.
It appears to me that the Mahon Tribunal was, among others, an inquiry into corruption into the planning process within Dublin. I would suspect that any inquiry into the planning processes in other areas would yield very similar results.
These relationships will be an indicator of how distorted the planning process was in some counties.
CSO
• CDD01 Population by Sex, Province or County and Census Year
• BHA01 Planning Permissions Granted for New Houses and Apartments by Type of Dwelling, Local Authority, Year and Statistic - planning permissions granted
• CDD08 Population by Sex, Province County or City, Age Group and Census Year
• CDD45 Permanent Housing Units by Occupancy Status by Province County or City, CensusYear and Statistic.xls
There is a separate series BHA02 Planning Permissions Granted for New Houses and Apartments by Type of Dwelling, Region and County, Year that goes to 2011 but his has some inconsistencies.
The Department of the Environment produce planning statistics up to 2009 but these do not agree with the CSO figures - see environ.ie/en/Publications/S … tatistics/.
The planning permission numbers are for the interval 2001 to 2010. This is after many of the events inquired into by the Mahon Tribunal and after the original Flood Tribunal was established. It would be reasonable to assume that the level of corruption would have lessened because of the publicity associated with the operation of the Tribunal.
There are many authorities that grant planning permission:
- An Uaimh (Navan) (Town Council)
- Arklow (Town Council)
- Athlone (Town Council)
- Athy (Town Council)
- Ballina (Town Council)
- Ballinasloe (Town Council)
- Birr (Town Council)
- Bray (Town Council)
- Buncrana (Town Council)
- Bundoran (Town Council)
- Carlow (County Council)
- Carlow (Town Council)
- Carrickmacross (Town Council)
- Carrick-on-Suir (Town Council)
- Cashel (Town Council)
- Castlebar (Town Council)
- Castleblaney (Town Council)
- Cavan (County Council)
- Cavan (Town Council)
- Ceannanus Mor (Kells) (Town Council)
- Clare (County Council)
- Clonakilty (Town Council)
- Clones (Town Council)
- Clonmel (Borough Council)
- Cobh (Town Council)
- Cork (City Council)
- Cork (County Council)
- Donegal (County Council)
- Drogheda (Borough Council)
- Dublin (City Council)
- Dun Laoire/Rathdown (County Council)
- Dundalk (Town Council)
- Dungarvan (Town Council)
- Ennis (Town Council)
- Enniscorthy (Town Council)
- Fermoy (Town Council)
- Fingal (County Council)
- Galway (City Council)
- Galway (County Council)
- Kerry (County Council)
- Kildare (County Council)
- Kilkenny (Borough Council)
- Kilkenny (County Council)
- Killarney (Town Council)
- Kilrush (Town Council)
- Kinsale (Town Council)
- Laois (County Council)
- Leitrim (County Council)
- Letterkenny (Town Council)
- Limerick (City Council)
- Limerick (County Council)
- Listowel (Town Council)
- Longford (County Council)
- Longford (Town Council)
- Louth (County Council)
- Macroom (Town Council)
- Mallow (Town Council)
- Mayo (County Council)
- Meath (County Council)
- Midleton (Town Council)
- Monaghan (County Council)
- Monaghan (Town Council)
- Naas (Town Council)
- Nenagh (Town Council)
- New Ross (Town Council)
- Offaly (County Council)
- Roscommon (County Council)
- Skibbereen (Town Council)
- Sligo (Borough Council)
- Sligo (County Council)
- South Dublin Co. Co. (County Council)
- Templemore (Town Council)
- Thurles (Town Council)
- Tipperary (Town Council)
- Tipperary N.R. (County Council)
- Tipperary S.R. (County Council)
- Tralee (Town Council)
- Trim (Town Council)
- Tullamore (Town Council)
- Waterford (City Council)
- Waterford (County Council)
- Westmeath (County Council)
- Westport (Town Council)
- Wexford (Borough Council)
- Wexford (County Council)
- Wicklow (County Council)
- Wicklow (Town Council)
- Youghal (Town Council)
There are eight in Cork county alone.
This number alone gives rise to the potential for inconsistency within planning.
This information is aggregated by country, which is a painful process.
The first table shows the following:
• Houses Permissions Granted - number of permissions for houses granted in the county from 2010 to 2010
• Houses Units- number of units in the permissions for houses granted in the county from 2010 to 2010
• Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted - number of permissions for housing estates granted in the county from 2010 to 2010
• Multi Development Houses Units - number of units in the permissions for housing estates granted in the county from 2010 to 2010
• One-Off Houses Permissions Granted - number of permissions for once-off houses granted in the county from 2010 to 2010
• One-Off Houses Units - number of permissions for once-off houses granted in the county from 2010 to 2010
• One-Off Houses Units - number of units in the permissions for once-off houses granted in the county from 2010 to 2010
• Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted - number of permissions for once-off flats/apartments granted in the county from 2010 to 2010
• Private Flats/Apartments Units - number of units in the permissions for once-off flats/apartments granted in the county from 2010 to 2010
• Total Permissions Granted - total number of permissions granted in the county from 2010 to 2010
• Total Units Permissions Granted - total number of units in the permissions granted in the county from 2010 to 2010
• Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households - CSO occupancy data from CDD45 listed above
• Occupied By Visitors Only - CSO occupancy data from CDD45 listed above
• Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent - CSO occupancy data from CDD45 listed above
• Unoccupied - Vacant House - CSO occupancy data from CDD45 listed above
• Unoccupied - Vacant Flat - CSO occupancy data from CDD45 listed above
• Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home - CSO occupancy data from CDD45 listed above
• Total Housing Stock - CSO occupancy data from CDD45 listed above
• 2011 Population - county population in 2011
• Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock - this is the number of units for which permission was granted as a percentage of the current total housing stock
• Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Population - this is the number of units for which permission was granted as a percentage of the 2011 population of the county
• Total Stock Vacant - this is the proportion of current housing stock in the county that is unoccupied (excluding holiday homes)
Carlow Houses Permissions Granted 2,692
Houses Units 9,903
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 259
Multi Development Houses Units 7,470
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 2,433
One-Off Houses Units 2,433
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 184
Private Flats/Apartments Units 2,250
Total Permissions Granted 5,568
Total Units Permissions Granted 22,056
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 19,365
Occupied By Visitors Only 142
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 456
Unoccupied - Vacant House 2,287
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 632
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 283
Total Housing Stock 23,165
2011 Population 54,612
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 95.21%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 40.39%
Total Stock Vacant 13.82%
Dublin Houses Permissions Granted 7,030
Houses Units 40,230
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 1,306
Multi Development Houses Units 34,506
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 5,724
One-Off Houses Units 5,724
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 2,573
Private Flats/Apartments Units 78,672
Total Permissions Granted 16,633
Total Units Permissions Granted 159,132
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 466,461
Occupied By Visitors Only 2,982
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 14,515
Unoccupied - Vacant House 17,597
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 25,333
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 777
Total Housing Stock 527,665
2011 Population 1,273,069
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 30.16%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 12.50%
Total Stock Vacant 8.28%
Kildare Houses Permissions Granted 5,170
Houses Units 20,401
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 498
Multi Development Houses Units 15,729
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 4,672
One-Off Houses Units 4,672
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 519
Private Flats/Apartments Units 6,439
Total Permissions Granted 10,859
Total Units Permissions Granted 47,241
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 70,504
Occupied By Visitors Only 273
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 1,706
Unoccupied - Vacant House 4,432
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 1,691
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 188
Total Housing Stock 78,794
2011 Population 210,312
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 59.96%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 22.46%
Total Stock Vacant 8.01%
Kilkenny Houses Permissions Granted 4,690
Houses Units 13,886
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 294
Multi Development Houses Units 9,490
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 4,396
One-Off Houses Units 4,396
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 249
Private Flats/Apartments Units 2,043
Total Permissions Granted 9,629
Total Units Permissions Granted 29,815
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 33,583
Occupied By Visitors Only 98
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 700
Unoccupied - Vacant House 3,569
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 654
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 401
Total Housing Stock 39,005
2011 Population 95,419
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 76.44%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 31.25%
Total Stock Vacant 11.85%
Laois Houses Permissions Granted 3,454
Houses Units 16,625
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 315
Multi Development Houses Units 13,486
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 3,139
One-Off Houses Units 3,139
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 211
Private Flats/Apartments Units 2,714
Total Permissions Granted 7,119
Total Units Permissions Granted 35,964
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 27,916
Occupied By Visitors Only 75
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 586
Unoccupied - Vacant House 3,277
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 661
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 149
Total Housing Stock 32,664
2011 Population 80,559
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 110.10%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 44.64%
Total Stock Vacant 12.51%
Longford Houses Permissions Granted 2,780
Houses Units 8,882
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 342
Multi Development Houses Units 6,444
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 2,438
One-Off Houses Units 2,438
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 139
Private Flats/Apartments Units 911
Total Permissions Granted 5,699
Total Units Permissions Granted 18,675
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 14,410
Occupied By Visitors Only 50
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 288
Unoccupied - Vacant House 3,202
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 556
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 317
Total Housing Stock 18,823
2011 Population 39,000
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 99.21%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 47.88%
Total Stock Vacant 21.65%
Louth Houses Permissions Granted 4,372
Houses Units 17,565
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 432
Multi Development Houses Units 13,625
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 3,940
One-Off Houses Units 3,940
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 403
Private Flats/Apartments Units 7,700
Total Permissions Granted 9,147
Total Units Permissions Granted 42,830
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 43,897
Occupied By Visitors Only 163
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 894
Unoccupied - Vacant House 4,207
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 1,406
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 619
Total Housing Stock 51,186
2011 Population 122,897
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 83.68%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 34.85%
Total Stock Vacant 12.18%
Meath Houses Permissions Granted 5,461
Houses Units 23,334
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 445
Multi Development Houses Units 18,318
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 5,016
One-Off Houses Units 5,016
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 516
Private Flats/Apartments Units 7,246
Total Permissions Granted 11,438
Total Units Permissions Granted 53,914
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 61,922
Occupied By Visitors Only 163
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 1,439
Unoccupied - Vacant House 4,311
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 1,565
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 297
Total Housing Stock 69,697
2011 Population 184,135
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 77.35%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 29.28%
Total Stock Vacant 8.86%
Offaly Houses Permissions Granted 3,998
Houses Units 12,604
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 298
Multi Development Houses Units 8,904
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 3,700
One-Off Houses Units 3,700
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 200
Private Flats/Apartments Units 1,558
Total Permissions Granted 8,196
Total Units Permissions Granted 26,766
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 26,543
Occupied By Visitors Only 87
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 500
Unoccupied - Vacant House 2,858
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 544
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 218
Total Housing Stock 30,750
2011 Population 76,687
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 87.04%
Total Stock Vacant 34.90%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 11.77%
Westmeath Houses Permissions Granted 3,578
Houses Units 10,594
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 285
Multi Development Houses Units 7,301
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 3,293
One-Off Houses Units 3,293
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 281
Private Flats/Apartments Units 3,920
Total Permissions Granted 7,437
Total Units Permissions Granted 25,108
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 30,624
Occupied By Visitors Only 266
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 848
Unoccupied - Vacant House 3,480
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 1,141
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 300
Total Housing Stock 36,659
2011 Population 86,164
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 68.49%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 29.14%
Total Stock Vacant 13.42%
Wexford Houses Permissions Granted 9,475
Houses Units 23,811
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 1,342
Multi Development Houses Units 15,678
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 8,133
One-Off Houses Units 8,133
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 435
Private Flats/Apartments Units 3,721
Total Permissions Granted 19,385
Total Units Permissions Granted 51,343
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 52,345
Occupied By Visitors Only 235
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 1,234
Unoccupied - Vacant House 5,840
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 1,574
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 6,915
Total Housing Stock 68,143
2011 Population 145,320
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 75.35%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 35.33%
Total Stock Vacant 21.03%
Wicklow Houses Permissions Granted 3,558
Houses Units 13,455
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 412
Multi Development Houses Units 10,309
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 3,146
One-Off Houses Units 3,146
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 323
Private Flats/Apartments Units 4,101
Total Permissions Granted 7,439
Total Units Permissions Granted 31,011
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 47,579
Occupied By Visitors Only 132
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 1,263
Unoccupied - Vacant House 3,341
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 945
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 1,091
Total Housing Stock 54,351
2011 Population 136,640
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 57.06%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 22.70%
Total Stock Vacant 9.89%
Clare Houses Permissions Granted 6,583
Houses Units 15,291
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 546
Multi Development Houses Units 9,254
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 6,037
One-Off Houses Units 6,037
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 329
Private Flats/Apartments Units 2,603
Total Permissions Granted 13,495
Total Units Permissions Granted 33,185
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 42,534
Occupied By Visitors Only 286
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 1,014
Unoccupied - Vacant House 5,936
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 1,236
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 4,610
Total Housing Stock 55,616
2011 Population 117,196
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 59.67%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 28.32%
Total Stock Vacant 21.18%
Cork Houses Permissions Granted 20,480
Houses Units 61,670
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 2,073
Multi Development Houses Units 43,263
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 18,407
One-Off Houses Units 18,407
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 1,737
Private Flats/Apartments Units 17,755
Total Permissions Granted 42,697
Total Units Permissions Granted 141,095
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 187,555
Occupied By Visitors Only 1,270
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 5,521
Unoccupied - Vacant House 20,123
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 5,864
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 7,342
Total Housing Stock 227,675
2011 Population 519,032
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 61.97%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 27.18%
Total Stock Vacant 14.64%
Kerry Houses Permissions Granted 10,929
Houses Units 22,253
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 1,173
Multi Development Houses Units 12,497
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 9,756
One-Off Houses Units 9,756
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 476
Private Flats/Apartments Units 3,140
Total Permissions Granted 22,334
Total Units Permissions Granted 47,646
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 53,088
Occupied By Visitors Only 665
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 1,275
Unoccupied - Vacant House 9,860
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 1,657
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 8,202
Total Housing Stock 74,747
2011 Population 145,502
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 63.74%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 32.75%
Total Stock Vacant 26.38%
Limerick Houses Permissions Granted 6,619
Houses Units 19,260
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 571
Multi Development Houses Units 13,212
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 6,048
One-Off Houses Units 6,048
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 497
Private Flats/Apartments Units 6,762
Total Permissions Granted 13,735
Total Units Permissions Granted 45,282
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 69,421
Occupied By Visitors Only 723
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 1,898
Unoccupied - Vacant House 7,133
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 2,528
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 453
Total Housing Stock 82,156
2011 Population 191,809
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 55.12%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 23.61%
Total Stock Vacant 12.31%
North Tipperary Houses Permissions Granted 3,925
Houses Units 9,789
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 264
Multi Development Houses Units 6,128
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 3,661
One-Off Houses Units 3,661
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 165
Private Flats/Apartments Units 1,185
Total Permissions Granted 8,015
Total Units Permissions Granted 20,763
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 25,611
Occupied By Visitors Only 109
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 543
Unoccupied - Vacant House 3,339
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 509
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 679
Total Housing Stock 30,790
2011 Population 70,322
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 67.43%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 29.53%
Total Stock Vacant 14.70%
South Tipperary Houses Permissions Granted 3,627
Houses Units 11,140
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 330
Multi Development Houses Units 7,843
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 3,297
One-Off Houses Units 3,297
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 180
Private Flats/Apartments Units 874
Total Permissions Granted 7,434
Total Units Permissions Granted 23,154
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 32,664
Occupied By Visitors Only 106
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 597
Unoccupied - Vacant House 3,809
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 571
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 437
Total Housing Stock 38,184
2011 Population 88,432
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 60.64%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 26.18%
Total Stock Vacant 12.62%
Waterford Houses Permissions Granted 4,318
Houses Units 13,334
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 407
Multi Development Houses Units 9,423
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 3,911
One-Off Houses Units 3,911
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 314
Private Flats/Apartments Units 3,718
Total Permissions Granted 8,950
Total Units Permissions Granted 30,386
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 42,239
Occupied By Visitors Only 279
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 1,249
Unoccupied - Vacant House 4,758
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 1,755
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 2,084
Total Housing Stock 52,364
2011 Population 113,795
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 58.03%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 26.70%
Total Stock Vacant 16.42%
Galway Houses Permissions Granted 16,838
Houses Units 31,819
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 925
Multi Development Houses Units 15,906
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 15,913
One-Off Houses Units 15,913
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 793
Private Flats/Apartments Units 7,495
Total Permissions Granted 34,469
Total Units Permissions Granted 71,133
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 88,341
Occupied By Visitors Only 933
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 3,082
Unoccupied - Vacant House 12,204
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 3,160
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 3,457
Total Housing Stock 111,177
2011 Population 250,653
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 63.98%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 28.38%
Total Stock Vacant 16.93%
Leitrim Houses Permissions Granted 3,214
Houses Units 6,864
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 279
Multi Development Houses Units 3,929
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 2,935
One-Off Houses Units 2,935
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 144
Private Flats/Apartments Units 1,019
Total Permissions Granted 6,572
Total Units Permissions Granted 14,747
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 12,228
Occupied By Visitors Only 103
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 271
Unoccupied - Vacant House 3,463
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 573
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 1,490
Total Housing Stock 18,128
2011 Population 31,798
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 81.35%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 46.38%
Total Stock Vacant 30.48%
Mayo Houses Permissions Granted 10,645
Houses Units 19,280
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 830
Multi Development Houses Units 9,465
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 9,815
One-Off Houses Units 9,815
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 468
Private Flats/Apartments Units 3,124
Total Permissions Granted 21,758
Total Units Permissions Granted 41,684
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 47,932
Occupied By Visitors Only 372
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 1,258
Unoccupied - Vacant House 10,194
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 1,582
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 4,454
Total Housing Stock 65,792
2011 Population 130,638
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 63.36%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 31.91%
Total Stock Vacant 24.67%
Roscommon Houses Permissions Granted 5,813
Houses Units 14,275
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 606
Multi Development Houses Units 9,068
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 5,207
One-Off Houses Units 5,207
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 204
Private Flats/Apartments Units 1,431
Total Permissions Granted 11,830
Total Units Permissions Granted 29,981
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 23,601
Occupied By Visitors Only 109
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 543
Unoccupied - Vacant House 5,630
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 640
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 1,062
Total Housing Stock 31,585
2011 Population 64,065
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 94.92%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 46.80%
Total Stock Vacant 23.21%
Sligo Houses Permissions Granted 3,789
Houses Units 10,051
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 326
Multi Development Houses Units 6,588
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 3,463
One-Off Houses Units 3,463
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 246
Private Flats/Apartments Units 3,319
Total Permissions Granted 7,824
Total Units Permissions Granted 23,421
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 24,428
Occupied By Visitors Only 314
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 974
Unoccupied - Vacant House 4,473
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 1,086
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 1,769
Total Housing Stock 33,044
2011 Population 65,393
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 70.88%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 35.82%
Total Stock Vacant 22.18%
Cavan Houses Permissions Granted 6,550
Houses Units 18,279
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 920
Multi Development Houses Units 12,649
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 5,630
One-Off Houses Units 5,630
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 247
Private Flats/Apartments Units 2,336
Total Permissions Granted 13,347
Total Units Permissions Granted 38,894
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 25,720
Occupied By Visitors Only 124
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 590
Unoccupied - Vacant House 5,325
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 952
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 1,000
Total Housing Stock 33,711
2011 Population 73,183
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 115.37%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 53.15%
Total Stock Vacant 21.59%
Donegal Houses Permissions Granted 16,342
Houses Units 32,218
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 1,573
Multi Development Houses Units 17,449
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 14,769
One-Off Houses Units 14,769
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 517
Private Flats/Apartments Units 4,601
Total Permissions Granted 33,201
Total Units Permissions Granted 69,037
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 57,721
Occupied By Visitors Only 579
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 1,622
Unoccupied - Vacant House 11,048
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 2,312
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 10,636
Total Housing Stock 83,918
2011 Population 161,137
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 82.27%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 42.84%
Total Stock Vacant 28.59%
Monaghan Houses Permissions Granted 4,784
Houses Units 10,734
Multi Development Houses Permissions Granted 386
Multi Development Houses Units 6,336
One-Off Houses Permissions Granted 4,398
One-Off Houses Units 4,398
Private Flats/Apartments Permissions Granted 205
Private Flats/Apartments Units 2,155
Total Permissions Granted 9,773
Total Units Permissions Granted 23,623
Occupied By Usual Resident(s) Of The Households 21,176
Occupied By Visitors Only 65
Unoccupied - Residents Temporarily Absent 417
Unoccupied - Vacant House 2,731
Unoccupied - Vacant Flat 502
Unoccupied - Vacant Holiday Home 165
Total Housing Stock 25,056
2011 Population 60,483
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of Total Stock 94.28%
Units Permitted 2001-2010 As A % Of 2011 Populatio 39.06%
Total Stock Vacant 13.56%This second table summarises this. The columns are:
A = Total Units Permissions Granted
B = Total Housing Stock
C = 2011 Population
D = Units Permitted 2001-2010 % Of Current Stock
E = Units Permitted 2001-2010 % Of 2011 Population
F = Total Stock Vacant
G = Total Stock Vacant %
A B C D E F G
Carlow 22,056 23,165 54,612 95.21% 40.39% 3,202 13.82%
Dublin 159,132 527,665 1,273,069 30.16% 12.50% 43,707 8.28%
Kildare 47,241 78,794 210,312 59.96% 22.46% 6,311 8.01%
Kilkenny 29,815 39,005 95,419 76.44% 31.25% 4,624 11.85%
Laois 35,964 32,664 80,559 110.10% 44.64% 4,087 12.51%
Longford 18,675 18,823 39,000 99.21% 47.88% 4,075 21.65%
Louth 42,830 51,186 122,897 83.68% 34.85% 6,232 12.18%
Meath 53,914 69,697 184,135 77.35% 29.28% 6,173 8.86%
Offaly 26,766 30,750 76,687 87.04% 34.90% 3,620 11.77%
Westmeath 25,108 36,659 86,164 68.49% 29.14% 4,921 13.42%
Wexford 51,343 68,143 145,320 75.35% 35.33% 14,329 21.03%
Wicklow 31,011 54,351 136,640 57.06% 22.70% 5,377 9.89%
Clare 33,185 55,616 117,196 59.67% 28.32% 11,782 21.18%
Cork 141,095 227,675 519,032 61.97% 27.18% 33,329 14.64%
Kerry 47,646 74,747 145,502 63.74% 32.75% 19,719 26.38%
Limerick 45,282 82,156 191,809 55.12% 23.61% 10,114 12.31%
North Tipperary 20,763 30,790 70,322 67.43% 29.53% 4,527 14.70%
South Tipperary 23,154 38,184 88,432 60.64% 26.18% 4,817 12.62%
Waterford 30,386 52,364 113,795 58.03% 26.70% 8,597 16.42%
Galway 71,133 111,177 250,653 63.98% 28.38% 18,821 16.93%
Leitrim 14,747 18,128 31,798 81.35% 46.38% 5,526 30.48%
Mayo 41,684 65,792 130,638 63.36% 31.91% 16,230 24.67%
Roscommon 29,981 31,585 64,065 94.92% 46.80% 7,332 23.21%
Sligo 23,421 33,044 65,393 70.88% 35.82% 7,328 22.18%
Cavan 38,894 33,711 73,183 115.37% 53.15% 7,277 21.59%
Donegal 69,037 83,918 161,137 82.27% 42.84% 23,996 28.59%
Monaghan 23,623 25,056 60,483 94.28% 39.06% 3,398 13.56%
TOTAL 1,197,886 1,994,845 4,588,252 60.05% 26.11% 289,451 14.51%There are some obvious observations that are initially apparent:
• In Laois, where there is only a single planning authority, permissions were granted for 35,964 units. The current Total Housing Stock is 32,664, less than the permissions granted. Why were so many units permitted if they were not built? The units permitted over the interval represented 44.64% of the 2011 population. This is a simple ratio and does not take into account the number of people each unit permitted can accommodate.
• In Donegal, permissions were granted for 69,037 units. The current Total Housing Stock is 83,918. The units permitted over the interval represented 42.84% of the 2011 population.
• In Roscommon, permissions were granted for 29,981 units. The current Total Housing Stock is 31,585. The units permitted over the interval represented 46.80% of the 2011 population.
• These initial observations contrast with Dublin where permissions were granted for 159,132 units. The current Total Housing Stock is 527,665. The units permitted over the interval represented 12.50% of the 2011 population, the lowest ratio for all counties.
This analysis is limited to the interval 2001 to 2010 for which there is good data that can be, with some difficulty, matched to other information on population and occupancy. If the interval was widened, the picture would just get worse.
The image here is of rural planning authorities granting permissions for completely unneeded developments for which there will never be occupants.
There can never have been any justification for such planning permissions being granted. The current population is 4,588,252. With 1,994,845 residential properties this is an average occupancy ratio of 2.3.
If the same ratio was applied to 1,197,886 units permitted from 2001 to 2010, the total number of expected occupants would be 2,755,203. This is much less than the 671,049 increase in population that occurred over the same interval.
So what were the causes: corruption, incompetence, local authority greed for planning fees, lax planning standards, no supervision, a mix or some or all of these? Certainly the pervasive over planning permitted indicates that corruption must have played some part.
This has created a distorted the property market. The country is littered with properties that have no and will never have any value while there is probably a shortage of good-quality residential accommodation in the Dublin area. Just one more legacy of the time of Bertie and Fianna Fail.
