Dublin social housing allocations show 73% Irish residents

Dublin City Council has released data showing that 73 % of people allocated social housing in the capital are Irish citizens.

The figures, published after queries from councillors, also detail the proportion of migrants on the social housing waiting list and in allocated stock. Migration expert Ciara Murphy told The Claire Byrne Show that migrants are “over‑represented” on waiting lists, with 42 % of those waiting being non‑Irish.

However, when looking at actual allocations, the share of non‑Irish recipients falls to 27 %. Murphy noted that nationally the proportion of migrants living in social housing is lower than the Irish share, reflecting broader trends.

Context of the housing crisis

Murphy explained that migrants often face the sharp end of the housing crisis, being younger and less likely to own homes. She highlighted that 71 % of non‑Irish residents live in rental accommodation compared with 14 % of Irish people, leading to higher rates of homelessness, overcrowding and evictions among migrant communities – key criteria for social housing eligibility.

The data underscores the limited supply of social housing, which has been reduced over the past four decades, leaving only the most vulnerable to receive allocations after long waits.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: Daniel Wells / Pexels.